Minneapolis bids farewell to George Floyd

"George Floyd's story has been the story of black folks. Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to be is you kept your knee on our neck," Reverend Al Sharpton said in a eulogy.

Passersby made videos of the incident with their mobile phones that showed Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling with his full body weight on George Floyd's neck after he had been handcuffed and placed facedown on the pavement. During the first several minutes, Floyd complained that he could not breathe and pleaded for help. He then lost consciousness, although Chauvin remained kneeling on his neck for several minutes. "What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country, in education, in health services and in every area of American life. It's time for us to stand up in George's name and say: get your knee off our necks," the Reverend said. On Wednesday, the attorney general of Minnesota, Keith Ellison, said the charge against Chauvin has been upgraded to second-degree murder from the charges of third-degree murder and manslaughter levelled against him on May 29.

Meanwhile, three other police officials who were present during Floyd's arrest, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas Lane, face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder. Also on Thursday, Judge Paul R. Scoggin set bail at $1 million each for the three officers, or $750,000 under certain conditions, including that they do not work in law enforcement or have contact with Floyd's family. (IANS)

Also watch: Evening Bulletin | 5th June, 2020