On Monday, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey found himself at the center of controversy following a social media tribute to George Floyd. Floyd’s death six years ago on Memorial Day became a significant catalyst for nationwide protests, riots, and demands for reform in policing.
“Today, we remember George Floyd, who was murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer six years ago,” Frey wrote on X. “That moment changed our city forever.”
Frey’s subsequent messages emphasized that Floyd’s death compelled Minneapolis to face “painful truths about race, policing, inequity, and trust,” urging the community to engage in difficult dialogues and pursue accountability. He acknowledged the immense challenge of not just claiming change but demonstrating it in tangible ways since Floyd’s passing.
Frey also expressed a commitment to recognizing the area as a memorial of international importance, while also supporting it as a vibrant neighborhood where residents can live, work, gather, and heal.
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The tribute from Mayor Frey, delivered on such a significant day, drew criticism and sparked a conversation about the progress and ongoing challenges in addressing the issues highlighted by Floyd’s tragic death. (AP Images; Getty Images)
Floyd died from cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression after being pinned to the ground by officers outside a convenience store where he allegedly tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill.
Four police officers, including Derek Chauvin, were sentenced to prison over Floyd’s death. Chauvin pinned Floyd to the ground with his knee on his neck for around nine minutes.
Frey’s post immediately received criticism given that Monday was also Memorial Day.
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“Newsflash: Today is Memorial Day, not George Floyd Day. Show our fallen heroes and their families some freaking respect,” wrote State Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla. “You’re a complete disgrace to America, @MayorFrey.”
Others noted that Floyd’s death triggered destructive riots across the country where stores and buildings were looted and burned.
“It changed your city, state and my country for the worse. Rioters on your side killed people and did billions in economic damage. And for what? Defunding police policies that have led to more people being killed,” reporter Andy Ngo replied to Frey.
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George Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for 9 1/2 minutes outside a convenience store where Floyd tried to pass a counterfeit $20 bill. (Christopher Harris/AP)
While the official autopsy ruled the death a homicide caused by police restraint, the medical examiner’s report also noted that the amount of fentanyl in Floyd’s system and his recent use of methamphetamine were contributing factors.
“At first I thought this had to be a parody,” Tomi Lahren wrote on X. “I thought no way this fruity ass mayor was possibly honoring George Floyd on Memorial Day… But here it is.”
“Today we remember the veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our freedoms. Not drug addicts who overdosed,” Townhall.com columnist Dustin Grage wrote.
In a separate post, Frey honored veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice, saying: “We owe them — and the families who carry their memory forward — our deepest gratitude.”
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