Cities tied to George Floyd mark the 5th anniversary of his death
MINNEAPOLIS —
As the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder approaches, a series of events are planned to commemorate his life and the ongoing fight for police reform and racial justice. Religious services, concerts, and vigils will be held in Minneapolis, the city where Floyd was killed by a police officer.
The focal point of the events will be George Floyd Square, the intersection where Floyd took his last breaths as Officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over nine minutes. The community has organized a series of activities starting with concerts, a street festival, and a “self-care fair,” leading up to a worship service, gospel music concert, and candlelight vigil on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Houston, where Floyd spent much of his life, family members and community leaders will gather at his gravesite for a memorial service led by the Rev. Al Sharpton. A separate memorial event in a nearby park will feature music, preaching, poetry readings, and a balloon release to honor Floyd’s memory.
Despite initial hopes for widespread police reform following the global protests sparked by Floyd’s death, activists are facing challenges in achieving lasting change. While Minneapolis officials have pledged to overhaul the police department, progress has been slow, according to some advocates.
Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, expressed frustration with the lack of tangible progress, stating, “The progress being claimed by the city is not being felt in the streets.”
Adding to the challenges, the Trump administration recently moved to cancel settlements with Minneapolis and Louisville that aimed to reform their police departments in the aftermath of Floyd’s murder and the killing of Breonna Taylor. This decision has raised concerns among civil rights advocates who had hoped for federal oversight of local police departments accused of misconduct.
Furthermore, President Trump’s administration has taken steps to end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the federal government, and has pressured local governments, universities, and school districts to follow suit. Republican-led states have also intensified their efforts to eliminate DEI initiatives in various sectors.
