Share
HOUSTON — George Floyd’s body arrived at a Houston church Tuesday for a private funeral, to be followed by burial, capping six days of mourning for the black man whose death inspired a global reckoning over police brutality and racial injustice.
Floyd, 46, was to be laid to rest next to his mother in the suburb of Pearland. He cried out for his mother as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck May 25.
About 6,000 people attended a public memorial Monday in Houston, where Floyd grew up. Under a blazing Texas sun, mourners wearing T-shirts with his picture or “I Can’t Breathe” — the words he uttered as he lay pinned to the pavement for what prosecutors say was 8 minutes, 46 seconds — waited for hours to pay their respects. Floyd’s body lay in an open gold-colored casket.
“I’ve been stopped by police. I understand the situation. I can only imagine,” said 39-year-old Daniel Osarobo, a Houston resident and immigrant from Nigeria who works as an engineer in the oil and gas industry. “What if it was me? What if it was my brother? What if it was my sister? What if it was my son?”
Floyd’s death touched off international protests and scattered violence and drew new attention to the treatment of African Americans in the U.S. by police and the criminal justice system.
In the past two weeks, sweeping and previously unthinkable things have taken place: Confederate statues have been toppled, and many cities are debating overhauling, dismantling or cutting funding for police departments. Authorities in some places have barred police from using chokeholds or are otherwise rethinking policies on the use of force.
Floyd’s death has also reshaped the presidential race.
Over the Past Six Days, Memorials for Floyd Were Held in Minneapolis
To be re-elected, President Donald Trump must rebound from one of the lowest points of his presidency, with recent polls showing that 8 in 10 Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and even spiraling out of control.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic candidate for president, met with Floyd’s family Monday, according to a photo posted on Twitter by the civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton. Biden planned to provide a video message for Floyd’s funeral.
Over the past six days, memorials for Floyd were held in Minneapolis, where he lived in recent years, and Raeford, North Carolina, near where he was born.
The memorials have drawn the families of other black victims whose names have become part of the debate over race — among them Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin.
“It just hurts,” said Philonise Floyd, Floyd’s brother, sobbing as he ticked off some of their names outside the Fountain of Praise church in Houston. “We will get justice. We will get it. We will not let this door close.”
Across the U.S. Floyd’s death set off days of mostly peaceful demonstrations along with bursts of arson, assaults and smash-and-grab raids on businesses, with more than 10,000 people arrested. But protests in recent days have been overwhelmingly peaceful.
Four Minneapolis officers were arrested in Floyd’s death, which was captured on cellphone video by bystanders. Derek Chauvin, 44, was charged with second-degree murder. J Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao were charged with aiding and abetting. All four could get up to 40 years in prison.
RELATED TOPICS:
Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 78, Trump Plans Visit
16 hours ago
Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing
16 hours ago
Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99
23 hours ago
Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says
23 hours ago
Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US
23 hours ago
Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump
23 hours ago
Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children
23 hours ago
California’s Politics Drifts Right While New York’s Leans Left
24 hours ago
How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again
2 days ago
Netanyahu to Meet Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire
49 seconds ago
Categories

Netanyahu to Meet Trump at White House as Israel, Hamas Discuss Ceasefire

TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected US Sale, the Information Reports

Hamas Government Office Rejects US Accusation of Involvement in Gaza Aid Site Attack

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 78, Trump Plans Visit

Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US
