Notable figures across entertainment, sports, and politics are speaking out against the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who allegedly suffocated while being detained by police.
The tragic incident occurred Monday in Minneapolis, after officers attempted to arrest Floyd on suspicion of forgery. A passerby filmed an officer kneeling on the back of Floyd’s neck, as the 46-year-old was face down on the pavement screaming, “Please, I can’t breathe!” The officer ignores Floyd’s pleas and refuses to release the man from his hold. Moments later, Floyd goes quiet and appears to lose consciousness. He was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead.
LeBron James and Snoop Dogg were among those who juxtaposed the disturbing image of the kneeling officer to a photo of Colin Kaepernick’s #TakeaKnee demonstration against police brutality. Kaepernick’s girlfriend, Nessa, retweeted the side-by-side pictures, which showed “This …” over the officer and “…Is Why” over the former 49ers QB.
Retired NFL athlete Donte Stallworth echoed the message in a tweet that included footage of Floyd pleading for his life.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo confirmed Tuesday that the four officers involved in the incident were no longer with the department. City mayor, Jacob Frey, shared a subsequent tweet stating the unidentified officers had been terminated.
The FBI and state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating Floyd’s death, while the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is working with federal prosecutors to determine if criminal prosecution will be pursued.
“We promise a thorough, expedited review consistent with our on-going commitment to justice,” the county attorney’s office said in a statement. “Every person is entitled to fairness; no person stands above the law.”
On Tuesday night, thousands of protestors flooded the streets of Minneapolis calling for an end to police brutality as well as justice for Floyd. According to Star Tribune, demonstrators were met with police in riot gear who fired tear gas and sandbags. The outlet reports protestors were seen throwing water bottles and other items at officers, causing police SUV windows to break.
“This will happen again if we don’t get out in front of this,” community activist Al Flowers told the Tribune about the clash. “[This is] one of the most egregious murders I’ve ever seen.”
Flowers added that the officer who kneeled on Floyd’s neck should face prosecution.
Huge protests have broken out in the streets of Minneapolis over the killing of #GeorgeFloyd by Minneapolis police pic.twitter.com/kXSIt4vLcy
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 27, 2020
They Going Crazy In Minneapolis Rn💯👏🏾 #ICantBreathe #GeorgeFloyd #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/6efmPeDMa1
— SOLLY THE BANKBOY🏦🐍❤️.® (@SollyBandz_) May 26, 2020
Celebrities, politicians, and sports stars have made calls on social media using the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter and #GeorgeFloyd.
You can read some of the reactions below.
Watch video below
https://twitter.com/TheBrooklynView/status/1265462878196432896?s=19
https://twitter.com/MizzMaxwell31/status/1265459323163086848?s=19
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Nawao…..I’m speechless for now