Family, activists demand justice as George Floyd’s memorial is held in Minneapolis

Mourners on Thursday gathered inside a sanctuary at the North Central University in Minneapolis, to pay tributes to George Floyd. Floyd was killed by a police officer who placed a knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes in an arrest attempt. Family members, friends and protesters equally used the event to once again demand for justice.

Al Sharpton, the founder of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization in the United States, noted that what happened to Floyd is what virtually happens every day in their country. “George Floyd’s story is the story of black folks. “Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being — because you kept your knee on our necks. “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, ‘Get your knee off our necks. “We need to go back to Washington and stand up — black, white, Latino, Arab — in the shadows of Lincoln and tell them, This is the time to stop this,'” Sharpton said.

Floyd’s younger brother Philonise Floyd said the family grew up poor but had everything they needed. “Everybody wants justice. We want justice for George; He’s going to get it. We’re going to get it.” Floyd’s younger brother said.