Oppression on Black people is not a new thing. Hundreds and thousands of Black Americans die because of police brutality and that is not a new input at all.
George Floyd, an unarmed 46-year old Black man was killed by a White officer after he pinned his neck down on the ground for several minutes, even when he kept repeating “I can’t breathe”.
In several videos from the bystanders, Floyd can be seen telling the officer that he couldn’t breathe. After protesting the attack and trying to keep himself alive, he finally was found motionless on the ground, with the officer’s knee still pressed to his neck.
While the four officers responsible for the case were fired, the lack of justice against those officers has made Floyd’s family livid. The incident sparked emotions and rage through a vast community of people across the world, who took to their social media accounts to raise their voice against the injustice.
Protests broke out in Minneapolis on Tuesday against the lack of justice and the rising death of Black Americans in the country because of the police brutality cases.
What happened during the arrest?
George Floyd was accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill for which the police officers were trying to put him in the police van when he dropped to the ground saying that he was claustrophobic.
The police reported that he tried to resist the arrest.
While the videos surfacing on the social media don’t show how confrontation started, it can be seen clearly how the white officer, Derek Chauvin was pressing down on Floyd’s neck, making it hard for him to breathe.
A local nightclub owner even reported that both Chauvin and Floyd used to work as bouncers in his club until last year but there are no reports whether or not they knew each other or not.
How did George Floyd die?
The complete medical examination report hasn’t been released yet. According to the current reports, there are likely no evidence of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation.
The report further stated that Floyd had severe heart conditions and the combination of the same with the “potential intoxicants in the system” along with the officer kneeling down on his knee could have further contributed to the death.
The report said that the officer, Derek Chauvin has his knee on George Floyd’s neck for 8 mins 46 seconds, three minutes even after Floyd became unresponsive.
Two minutes before Chauvin took away his knee, the officers found no pulse. Floyd was rushed to the Hennepin County Medical Centre and was later pronounced dead.
What was President Trump’s reaction?
Just a few hours following the reporting of the incident, netizens, activists and humans from all across the world came together to protest against this act of racism, demanding Justice for George Floyd who was killed without any motive other than a complete act of hate.
During the White House briefing on Friday, President Donald Trump regarded the incident “a terrible, terrible thing”. He further said that he has spoken to Floyd’s family and said they were terrific people.
Trump also asked the authorities to speed up the investigation to find whether or not any of the civil rights law were violated that resulted in Floyd’s death.
Addressing the protests and the looting that have been happening around the site of the incident, Trump responded to the same saying “looters should not be allowed to drown out the voices of so many peaceful protesters.”
He was also highly criticised for openly ordering the armed forces to shoot people if the looting starts, via his twitter handle.
Reactions from family and political figures
The death of an unarmed and innocent Black American is not the first time happening. With the constant leeway and hateful acts of racism, it isn’t surprising that the situations have started getting out of hand.
Mr. Floyd’s family and lawyer, Benjamin Crump reported that the arrest of the accused officers was welcomed but long overdue. Not just that, even Floyd’s brother has reported that this is not the justice they want for his brother’s death.
It is necessary that the accused should be charged with first degree murder charge and arrest of the other officers involved in the case.
“This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America. If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives up to its highest ideals, we can and must be better,” former US President Barack Obama said in his tweet.
‘I just want Justice’
Following the cold blooded murder inflicted by the officer, hundreds and thousands of protestors came out on the streets of Minneapolis, seeking justice against the brutal act, demanding immediate arrests and justice for the victims of police violence.
“Say his name. George Floyd. I can’t breathe,” chanted the protestors.
The protests started peacefully with slogans and screams for justice, which have now turned violent because there was no result to the protests in the first phase. Recent reports from the protests have reports of looting, arson and vandalism.
Police have also sprayed tear gas and non-lethal projections to control the protests happening around. Even a large fire erupted near the third precinct of the Minneapolis Police Department on Thursday.
“I want them to get everything right. Start doing your job the right way because I haven’t been seeing it, years and years down the line I haven’t been seeing it at all. I’m tired of seeing Black men die. Black lives matter too,” said Philonise.
Current proceeds in the case
The fired white police officer who was accused for the death of George Floyd has now been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter.
The Minneapolis residents and people from across the world have even demanded arrest of the remaining three officers who didn’t do anything to prevent the ill fate of George Floyd and watched the scene unfold.
What can you do?
In case you are at your time trying to figure out what you can do to help raise your voice against the injustice happening, there are quite a few things that you can do.
Social media
Take to social media like Twitter to raise your voice. Let your voices be heard and support the cause. Trend hashtags, participate in the demand for justice for the Black community and do your part in not being silent at this point.
Sign petitons.
Donate to the official GoFund me page organised by George Floyd’s family.
Amidst the curfews, protests and the constant alarming need for justice for Black people from across the world, this shouldn’t have to be done in the first place. It is important that every person with priviledge should speak up about the constant violence and racism that Black people face on a daily basis.
Now is the time to speak up.
