Cities tied to George Floyd mark the 5th anniversary of his death
Share this @internewscast.com

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Sunday marks the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer, and the occasion will be commemorated with religious services, concerts, and vigils. Police reform and civil rights advocates continue to feel resistance, particularly from policies enacted by the Trump administration.

In Minneapolis, the focal point of the events is George Floyd Square. This is the location where Officer Derek Chauvin infamously pinned Floyd to the ground by his neck with his knee for over nine minutes, ignoring Floyd’s desperate cries of “I can’t breathe.”

The commemorations kicked off on Friday with concerts, a street festival, and a “self-care fair.” They will reach their peak on Sunday with a worship service, a gospel music concert, and a candlelight vigil.

In Houston, where Floyd grew up, family members planned to gather Sunday at his gravesite for a memorial service led by the Rev. Al Sharpton. In a park about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away, a memorial service will take place, followed by five hours of music, preaching and poetry readings and a balloon release.

The remembrances come at a fraught moment for activists, who had hoped the worldwide protests that followed Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, would lead to permanent police reform across the U.S. and a continued focus on racial justice issues.

Even with Minneapolis officials’ promises to remake the police department, some activists contend the progress has come at a glacial pace.

“We understand that change takes time,” Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, said in a statement last week. “However, the progress being claimed by the city is not being felt in the streets.”

President Donald Trump’s administration moved Wednesday to cancel settlements with Minneapolis and Louisville that called for an overhaul of their police departments following the Floyd’s murder and the killing of Breonna Taylor. Under Democratic President Joe Biden, the U.S. Justice Department had aggressively pushed for aggressive oversight of local police it had accused of widespread abuses.

Trump also declared an end to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within the federal government and his administration is using federal funds as leverage to force local governments, universities and public school districts to do the same. Republican-led states also have accelerated their efforts to stamp out DEI initiatives.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Long Island cops unveil futuristic guns that could fire GPS darts during chases

Long Island Police Introduce High-Tech Guns Equipped with GPS Tracking Darts for Pursuit Operations

Sheriff’s deputies in Suffolk County are experimenting with innovative firearms designed to…
Russian attack on Odesa, Ukraine, kills married couple, officials say

Tragic Russian Strike on Odesa Claims Lives of Beloved Couple: Ukrainian Officials Report

Ukrainian authorities reported that a Russian drone assault on the southern city…
Trump calls for 2020 presidential election to be 'permanently wiped from the books' if Southern Poverty Law Center convicted of fraud

Trump Urges Erasure of 2020 Election Results Amid Controversy Involving Southern Poverty Law Center

On Friday, former President Trump suggested that the 2020 election should be…
Ex-NYPD cop convicted of perjury for lying about circumstances of 2009 Bronx shooting

Former NYPD Officer Found Guilty of Perjury in Controversial 2009 Bronx Shooting Case

A former officer of the NYPD was convicted of perjury on Friday,…
NYPD cop racked up more than 500 speeding tickets in NYC since 2022: report

Shocking NYC Report: NYPD Officer Accumulates Over 500 Speeding Violations Since 2022 – A Deep Dive

An NYPD officer has been identified as one of New York City’s…
Lefty senate candidate Graham Platner argues that US should be 'far more cooperative' with China on climate change issues

Left-Wing Senate Hopeful Graham Platner Advocates for Enhanced US-China Climate Collaboration

Maine Democrat Graham Platner has pledged to enhance relations with China should…
17 charged across New England after massive coordinated street takeover wreaks havoc in suburban Boston town

17 Arrested in New England After Major Street Takeover Disrupts Boston Suburb

Authorities in Massachusetts have apprehended 17 individuals from New England in connection…
California ‘basic income’ experiment fails to provide ‘financial independence,’ study finds

California’s Basic Income Trial Falls Short on Promised Financial Independence, Study Reveals

A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, reveals…
North Carolina woman charged in alleged Houston synagogue attack plot as investigators search for 2 others

Breaking: North Carolina Woman Arrested in Houston Synagogue Attack Plot as Authorities Hunt for Additional Suspects

A woman from North Carolina has been formally charged in connection with…
Mexican Mafia turned American neighborhoods into ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ with murders, kidnappings, drugs: feds

Federal Authorities Report Mexican Mafia’s Role in Transforming U.S. Neighborhoods with Crime and Drugs

In a significant crackdown on organized crime, federal authorities announced Thursday the…
California voter ID initiative heads to November ballot

California’s Voter ID Proposal Set for Decision in November Election

A proposed measure aiming to strengthen voter identification and citizenship verification for…
Scathing audit performed on West Suburban Medical Center, shuttered Oak Park, Illinois hospital thousands relied on

Critical Audit Uncovers Issues at West Suburban Medical Center, Former Lifeline for Oak Park, IL Residents

OAK PARK, Ill. — Late Tuesday afternoon, the ABC7 I-Team uncovered that…