George Floyd’s Family Knelt Outside Of Courthouse For 8 Minutes & 46 Seconds Ahead Of Ex-Officer Derek Chauvin’s Trial
George Floyd’s Family Knelt Outside Of Courthouse For 8 Minutes & 46 Seconds Ahead Of Ex-Officer Derek Chauvin’s Trial
The trial for Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, has begun, and George Floyd’s family has already sent a message.
George Floyd tragically died last May after Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck during an arrest in Minneapolis. His death sparked social unrest as the fight for equality for black lives went to new heights. Derek Chauvin is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree murder, and third-degree murder. He was also fired from his job.
George Floyd’s family arrived at the courthouse Monday (March 29th) and took a knee for the same length of time that Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck, causing his death.
They were joined by civil rights activist Al Sharpton and lawyer Ben Crump.
Al Sharpton said in a press conference,
“Last May…this nation and world witnessed a lynching by knee of George Floyd. We are here to see the case of a man that used his knee to lynch a man, and blamed the man for the lynching.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton and Attorney Ben Crump join George Floyd’s family in taking a knee for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to illustrate the amount of time that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck last year. pic.twitter.com/L69eNe16ab
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) March 29, 2021
George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, also made an appearance on TODAY Monday (March 29th) and said,
“We know that this case, to us, is a slam dunk because we know the video is the proof, that’s all you need. The guy was kneeling on my brother’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, a guy who was sworn in to protect. He killed my brother in broad daylight.”
The other three officers involved are scheduled to go to trial in August.
The city of Minneapolis reached a historic $27 million settlement with George Floyd’s family earlier this month.
What are your thoughts on George Floyd’s family kneeling for 8 minutes and 46 seconds? Comment and let us know.