Five years have passed since George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by Minneapolis police officers. This tragic event sent shockwaves around the world and triggered an American reckoning with racial justice and police use of force.
The Incident
Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, was captured on video by bystanders. The footage showed former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes as he pleaded for air. Chauvin was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 22 years in prison.
Aftermath and Protests
The aftermath of Floyd’s death saw widespread protests across the United States and internationally. Many called for systemic change within law enforcement agencies to address systemic racism.
Justice 929: Advocacy for Change
Selwyn Jones, George Floyd’s uncle and co-founder of Justice 929, an organization dedicated to addressing systemic racism within law enforcement, emphasized the organization’s mission:
"Our mission is to promote civil rights through education and advocacy. We believe that everyone deserves equal treatment under the law regardless of their race or ethnicity."
Focus Areas
Justice 929 has been working tirelessly over the past five years to push for reforms within law enforcement agencies nationwide. Key areas of focus include:
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De-escalation Training: Advocating for officers to be trained in de-escalation techniques to resolve conflicts peacefully.
"We want our officers trained in de-escalation techniques so they can resolve conflicts peacefully. We don’t want them resorting to violence," Jones stated.
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Community Policing: Emphasizing the importance of building trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
"Community policing means getting out into neighborhoods where people live. It means listening to their concerns, understanding their needs," Jones explained.
Mental Health Support
In addition to advocating for reforms, Justice 929 provides resources such as mental health support services through partnerships with local organizations like Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF) Minnesota Chapter Inc., which offers fly fishing therapy programs designed specifically for PTSD treatment.
Progress and Challenges
While progress has been made since George Floyd’s death, including the passage of landmark legislation aimed at addressing racial disparities in policing, much work remains before true equality can be achieved.
"We still have a long way to go before we achieve true equality," Jones remarked.
As Americans reflect on this somber anniversary, it becomes clear that there will be no easy solutions. Continued dialogue between those who seek change and those who resist it will ultimately determine whether we move forward toward greater understanding and unity or continue down a path of further division and strife.
I’m Mark W. Lamplugh Jr., a visionary Chief Executive Officer, Board Member, and best-selling Author with over 25 years of experience driving significant revenue growth and optimizing ROI across the healthcare, wellness, and media industries. Throughout my career, I’ve consistently transformed underperforming operations into thriving ventures by building top-tier marketing organizations, implementing data-driven strategies, and leading transformational change. My empathetic, collaborative, and adaptable leadership style has allowed me to cultivate inclusive cultures of innovation, develop and retain top talent, and forge strong partnerships that fuel organizational success.
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