It has been a year since the killing of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody in the United States. Protests were held in various cities across the country on Tuesday (May 25). Floyd's family members also visited the White House for the first time on that day and met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The BBC, CNN and Reuters reported on Wednesday (May 26).
In New York City, Mayor Bill de Blasio sat in silence with civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, the exact same amount of time that fired police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd's neck, according to the report.
Protesters gathered near City Hall in Los Angeles for a Black Lives Matter protest. And in Minneapolis, where Floyd died and a memorial has been erected, many gathered. But there have been allegations of disruption and one person was reportedly injured in the incident.
On that day, members of George Floyd's family met with President Joe Biden at the White House. They urged the president to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. In a statement later, Biden said that the United States is facing a turning point.
Looking back on the Black Lives Matter protests that swept America and beyond after the murder of George Floyd one year ago today https://t.co/RIrs5QSg3H pic.twitter.com/U4rFvmauVj
— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) May 25, 2021
"To bring about real change and hold law enforcement officers accountable if they break their oaths of office, we must take action," he said.
Earlier, on April 20, all charges against Derek Chauvin, the main suspect in the murder, were proven in Hennepin County Court. He also admitted his guilt.
Community organizer Tommy McBrayer leads a chant at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis, and more images of commemoration on the first anniversary of his death: https://t.co/5kWIyTHFC3 ???? @npfosi pic.twitter.com/QD4Y94thEb
— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) May 25, 2021
A new video of the killing was shown in court on March 31. It shows George Floyd pleading with police officers after his arrest, saying, "I'm not a bad person, don't hurt me."
The body camera footage of officers Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and To Thao, who were present at the scene, also shows George Floyd confronting the police. Then he begs for his life, saying, "Please don't shoot me. I lost my mother a few days ago."
