Thousands of people gathered in Minneapolis on Sunday to mark the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, drawing attention to ongoing issues with racial justice and police brutality.
Background
George Floyd, 46, died after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds during an arrest outside a convenience store. Chauvin was later convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in April 2021.
Three other officers involved in the incident—J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao—pleaded guilty to charges related to Floyd’s death earlier this month. Their actions have sparked renewed calls for accountability within law enforcement agencies.
Impact on Racial Justice Activism
The event that led to Floyd’s death marked a turning point for racial justice activism across the U.S., sparking widespread protests against systemic racism nationwide. Reverend Al Sharpton spoke at a graveside service with Floyd’s family in Houston about the significance of this moment:
"This is not just about George. George represents all those who are defenseless against people who think they can put their knee on our neck."
Sharpton also compared Floyd’s killing to that of Emmett Till, a Black teenager lynched by two white men over accusations he flirted with one of their wives at age 14 in Mississippi nearly six decades ago:
"What Emmett Till was in his time, George Floyd has been for this time in history."
Details of the Incident
Floyd was arrested after allegedly using counterfeit money at Cup Foods convenience store on May 25, 2020. He died outside Cup Foods, where he had gone to buy cigarettes before being stopped by police officers responding to reports of counterfeit money.
Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck while three other officers held him down until paramedics arrived. Unfortunately, the paramedics were unable to revive him despite their efforts.
Legal Proceedings
Chauvin was convicted last year and received a nine-year prison sentence, which many felt did not reflect the severity of the crime. In addition, the three other former Minneapolis police officers involved—Kueng, Lane, and Thao—have pleaded guilty to charges related to Floyd’s death. All four men were fired by the Minneapolis Police Department immediately following the incident.
- Kueng pleaded guilty on Thursday morning.
- Lane pleaded guilty on Wednesday afternoon.
- Thao will be sentenced later this summer.
All four men face up to five years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines; however, prosecutors are seeking longer sentences due to the severity of the crimes committed. They argue that these crimes demonstrate a disregard for the value of human life.
Family’s Response
Floyd’s family members expressed outrage over the lenient sentences handed down so far, stating they do not reflect the full extent of the harm caused. Philonise Wright, Floyd’s brother-in-law, remarked:
“Justice has been served, but we still got work left.”
Wright hopes U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland will take action against systemic racism within law enforcement agencies across the country. He also called upon President Joe Biden to take executive action to address the issue head-on, saying:
“We need you, Mr. President.”
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