Americans will remember the five-year anniversary of the death of US police officer George Floyd on Sunday as President Donald Trump backtracks on anti-racist changes. The black lives matter movement became a strong force that sought to address America’s deeply rooted cultural problems, from police brutality to widespread inequality, with Floyd’s dangerous arrest on May 25, 2020. However, since Trump’s re-election in January, when Floyd passed away, his administration has axed civil rights examinations and stepped down on diversification hiring initiatives. However, BLM finds itself devoid of the assistance it had when protesters scurried across US cities during the Covid pandemic, with many then claiming that the movement had lost much of its impact. In what has been named George Floyd Square, the place of Minneapolis where the 46-year-old took his last breathe as police official Derek Chauvin knelt on his chest during an arrest, an anniversary celebration is taking place. The square, which is located near a residential area of the city in northern US, is covered in protest art, including a crimson mural that reads,” You Changed the World, George.” That hopeful concept is now at odds with a leader whose more extreme friends have suggested he forgive Chauvin, who was found guilty of murdering Floyd and served more than 22 years in prison. Some researchers believe Trump’s re-election was a result of BLM activism, which included calls to defund the police and demonstrations that turned into protests in some places. Despite the angry political environment, Floyd’s family members told AFP in Minneapolis on Friday that they wanted people to continue pushing for transformation. His uncle Angela Harrelson, who wore a black T-shirt depicting Floyd’s experience, said,” We don’t need an executive order to tell us that Black lives matter.” We must not allow a loss to prevent a tremendous return. Donald Trump simply didn’t find the memo, she continued, nodding off to other relatives who were seated next to her. No one can stillness us again, agreed Paris Stevens, a Floyd aunt.
Keep the memory active.
Before putting golden roses on the spot where Floyd’s dangerous arrest was filmed and shared around the world, the Floyd family and about 50 different persons observed a moment of silence on Friday evening. Other examples include a candlelight vigil on Sunday evening during a trip then dedicated to music, art, and dance. Since Floyd’s dying, sanctuary events have been held yearly, and Nelson Mandela’s grandson Nkosi, who was present, suggested the design for this one,” The People Have Spoken,” according to Harrelson. She claimed that the stubborn name was intended to convey the culmination of five years of protests and that visitors are expected to continue their service over the weekend. A doctor from Minneapolis, Jill Foster, told AFP at the circle on Friday that she thought honoring Floyd’s legacy was a part of social sensitivity. The 66-year-old said,” Everyone is trying to be rewritten and a new reality is created under the Trump management.” The celebration weekend brings up strong emotions of personal loss for Courteney Ross, Floyd’s girlfriend at the time of his passing.” We have to keep the memory going and keep the information flowing.” Ross, 49, was seen with a bouquet of yellow roses and said,” I miss him so much, I miss him by my side.” She continued,” It’s wonderful to see all the people come up and enjoy him.” Individuals are celebrating a guy who, you know, gave his life for us, and you see a unity you don’t find a bit in this country since.
