Activists continue to rally on anniversary of George Floyd’s death

Activists around the country marked the anniversary of George Floyd’s death, remembering the brutal killing that ignited a wave of protests last summer and continued calls for more police reform.

“We honor his life and legacy through our collective action for racial justice in the city of Boston,” Acting Mayor Kim Janey told reporters before leading a moment of silence. “We recognize that the conditions that lead to George Floyd’s death are still present. That is the urgent work that is waiting for us.”

Floyd’s sister Bridgett and other family members held a moment of silence at a “Celebration of Life” event at a downtown Minneapolis park that included music, food trucks, an inflatable bouncy house and a vaccination stand. A few miles away, at the site of the intersection where Floyd died, dozens of people kneeled around a steel fist sculpture for several minutes — symbolizing the 9 minutes, 29 seconds during which a Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck.

“It’s been a troubling year, a long year,” Bridgett Floyd told the crowd downtown. “But we made it. … The love is here. George is here.”

Other members of Floyd’s family met in Washington with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who urged Congress to quickly pass a law in Floyd’s name that would bring changes to policing. A moment of silence to honor Floyd was also held in New York and a rally was held in Los Angeles. In and around Boston, multiple marches by activists sought to keep pushing further police reform.

Globally, a rally took place in Germany and Floyd’s death was marked by U.S. embassies in Greece and Spain.

Hours before the Minneapolis festivities, the intersection where Floyd died was disrupted by gunfire.

Associated Press video from 38th Street and Chicago Avenue — informally known as George Floyd Square — showed people running for cover as shots rang out. Police said a man, who they believe was injured in the shooting, went to a nearby hospital with a gunshot wound. Police said he was in critical condition but was expected to survive. There were no immediate arrests.

Like other major cities, Minneapolis has been struggling with rising gun violence, a problem made worse, in part, by many officers leaving the embattled force since Floyd’s death. A 6-year-old girl was fatally shot and two other children wounded in recent weeks.

Floyd, 46, who was Black, died May 25, 2020, after then-Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, pinning him to the ground for about 9 1/2 minutes. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted last month of murder and faces sentencing June 25. Three other fired officers still face trial.

Protests in the days after the killing turned to riots in Boston on the last night in May, but otherwise remained peaceful as they surged for more than a month.

Janey said this anniversary reminds the city there’s a need to “double down” on investments around racial issues. The city last year created an independent office with subpoena power to oversee internal and external complaints against officers.

Herald wire services contributed to this report.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3oUzrxd