It has been exactly one year since Minneapolis man George Floyd’s heartbreaking death at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty of all three counts (second- degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter) last month.
The heinous act of police brutality awakened many Americans to the insidious racism that is still embedded in the U.S., which Black Americans face on a daily basis in countless different capacities.
On May 25, 2021, New York City is remembering Floyd’s life and advocating for the racial justice work that still needs to be done today.
Mayor de Blasio spoke about it in his daily press conference this morning, referencing the reaction of New York and the police reforms the city has made since the mass protests last spring.
“It was a reason for people to be angry and pained, and even an understandable reason for cynicism and hopelessness. But, what we saw after was something better,” he said. “People speaking out, people coming together, people fighting for change. It was painful and difficult in those days after, but things started to change…in this city for sure. The changes we have made are profound. Holding police accountable, ensuring we have a strong civilian complaint review board, doing more and more to make sure the police look like New York City, including the extraordinary efforts to recruit more and more African Americans into our police force.”
He also urged the U.S. Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would “increase accountability for law enforcement misconduct, restrict the use of certain policing practices, enhance transparency and data collection, and establish best practices and training requirements.”
At 12 p.m. today, the Mayor will also kneel with the National Action Network in Harlem for nine minutes and 29 seconds, the amount of time Chauvin pushed his knee into Floyd’s neck.
There are many marches and vigils taking place across the city today. Find them here and here:
NYC PROTESTS – MAY 25th
Today marks one year since George Floyd's murder. There are many marches, rallies and vigils planned for today in his remembrance.
Event flyers can be found on JusticeForGeorgeNYC's Instagram as well as respective organizers' pages. pic.twitter.com/LQuidMCBr5
— PROTEST_NYC (@protest_nyc) May 25, 2021
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