We are calling for an independent and transparent investigation into the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police Monday evening.
In an eyewitness video that brings back reminders of Eric Garner, an officer can be seen kneeling directly on the neck of a crying Floyd.
In an eyewitness video that brings back reminders of Eric Garner, an officer can be seen kneeling directly on the neck of a crying Floyd.
The officer stayed in position, with his body weight on Floyd's neck, for four more minutes after Floyd stopped moving at all.
At one point, the officer brandished pepper spray at bystanders who were pleading with police to stop.
At one point, the officer brandished pepper spray at bystanders who were pleading with police to stop.
Nearly six years after Eric Garner's death and four years after Philando Castile's, this video — where George Floyd is seen telling cops he can't breathe at least nine times — shows how little meaningful change has emerged to prevent cops from taking the lives of Black people.
Even in places like Minneapolis, where chokeholds are technically banned, Black men are targeted by the police for low-level offenses and are subjected to unreasonable, unnecessary violence.
George Floyd should be alive today.
For police to call his death a "medical incident" is an insult. This was a needless, tragic death.
For police to call his death a "medical incident" is an insult. This was a needless, tragic death.
