The death of a Black man by the named George Lloyd who died on Monday, May 25, after a Minneapolis police officer, arrested and forced his knee into his neck to keep him pinned to the ground. In the viral video that circulated on social media on Tuesday, a police officer is seen holding George down after he “physically resisted officers”.
George pleaded saying, he can’t breathe and kept repeating it, but the cops didn’t listen. The police officer who was kneeling on his neck did not ease pressure even as the man complained. Another police officer told him to get up and get int the car. George replied he can’ because of the other policeman holding him down. At some point, George starts screaming for his “grandma.” and was also heard saying his stomach hurts. His neck hurts; everything hurts.
Bystanders approached the scene and told the officer to get off of the man. One person pointed out that the man’s nose had started to bleed but they didn’t listen. The man then stopped moving and appeared to be unresponsive as the ambulance arrived at the scene and placed him on the gurney to take him away.
According to CBS News, the man was later announced dead following the incident.
The video, which was captured by Facebook user Darnella Frazier, was captioned, “They killed him right in front of cup foods over south on 38th and Chicago!! No type of sympathy #POLICEBRUTALITY.”
The Minneapolis police later released a statement claiming that officers responded to a report of “forgery in progress.”
The statement continued to claim, “Officers were advised that the suspect was sitting on top of a blue car and appeared to be under the influence. Two officers arrived and located the suspect, a male believed to be in his 40s, in his car. He was ordered to step from his car. After he got out, he physically resisted officers. Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called for an ambulance.” The police said that no weapons were used during the incident and body cameras were worn and activated during that time.
The four officers involved in the horrific incident were placed on paid administrative leave. However, people across the globe have reacted in outrage to George’s death since the video went viral. With many questioning why the officers were giving a leave instead of facing jail time.
Georges family have also reacted and are demanding justice for his untimely death. His fiancée, Courteney Ross said the deceased was a “gentle giant” to those who knew him. She revealed Floyd’s daughter still lives in Houston, and so do a lot of his family and friends. Ross also called for protesters to forgive the cop who killed George.
“You know, if he was here, he would say that he’s a man of God. He would stand on that firmly,” Ross said.
“He stood up for people, he was there for people when they were down, he loved people that were thrown away,” Ross added. “We prayed over every meal, we prayed if we were having a hard time, we prayed if we were having a good time.”
Ross said she knows the community is hurting, and she hopes they respond in a way that honours Floyd.
“You can’t fight fire with fire. Everything just burns, and I’ve seen it all day, people hate, they’re hating, they’re hating, they’re mad. And he would not want that. He wouldn’t, he wouldn’t, he wouldn’t. He would give grace. I stand on that today. He would still give grace to those people,” she said.
The 46-year-old trucker moved to Minneapolis from Houston about four or five years ago looking for better job opportunities and he was doing well in Minneapolis, it was revealed.
George Floyd’s death has also sparked massive chaotic protests in Minneapolis. Buildings have been set on fire and malls are being looted by protesters.
A group of protesters have also gathered outside a house they believe belongs to the officer who knelt on George Floyd’s neck until he died, demanding for justice.
The US President, Donald Trump has finally reacted to the death of George Floyd. He described George’s death as “very sad and tragic” and he disclosed that he has asked the FBI to expedite the investigation.
