Protests have been raging in the U.S — some peaceful and others violent — since an unarmed black man, George Floyd, died in police custody, on May 25.
The protests were not only in response to Floyd’s tragic death but also to protest against the death of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others in recent months.
Protesters took to streets in an outpouring of rage after the crime was recorded is a video, which was taken by an onlooker on Monday night, who witnessed the fatal encounter between police and Floyd.
The footage was widely circulated on social media and showed him lying face down and handcuffed, gasping for air and groaning for help while repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe.” as a white officer held him down by the neck with his knee for more than seven minutes.
Floyd, 46, allegedly tried to pass counterfeit bills at a corner eatery, was taken by ambulance from the scene of his arrest, and declared dead the same night at a hospital.
The city identified the four officers as Derek Chauvin, Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J Alexander Kueng. It did not say who had his knee against Floyd’s throat and gave no further information.
The policeman and three fellow officers who participated in Floyd’s arrest were dismissed from the police department on May 28 as the FBI opened an investigation into the incident.
Beyoncé has shared a message with her fans on Instagram, speaking out about the future of the fight against racial injustice, following days of protests worldwide against police brutality and systemic racism.
The "halo" singer took to the platform to encourage fans to activists who turned out for anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd - who passed away when a police officer knelt on his neck over seven minutes - to keep the fight going and stay focused.
Alongside a photo taken of protesters in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where Floyd was killed, she wrote, “The world came together for George Floyd. We know there is a long road ahead. Let’s remain aligned and focused in our call for real justice.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_wM0InmTb/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Beyoncé's post arrives on the same day that three additional Minneapolis police officers, all of whom had been fired for their involvement in Floyd's death, were charged with aiding and abetting 2nd-degree murder and manslaughter.
Charges were also raised against former officer Derek Chauvin from third-degree murder to second-degree murder. The new charges came shortly after State Attorney General Keith Ellison was put in charge of the prosecution.
Beyoncé had previously expressed last Friday her support and solidarity with the protests and her horror at what happened to Floyd in an emotional message posted on Instagram.
Many celebrities and public figures also took to social media to speak out about the ongoing protests, including Nicki Minaj, Tyler Perry, Britney Spears, Serena Williams, Lorde, Paris Hilton, Ellen DeGeneres, Kris Jenner, and others.
Rihanna penned a lengthy post about the killing of Floyd, and the agony of his death has caused her and the nation.
“For the last few days, the magnitude of devastation, anger, sadness I’ve felt has been overwhelming to say the least! Watching my people get murdered and lynched day after day pushed me to a heavy place in my heart! To the point of staying away from socials, just to avoid hearing the blood curdling agony in George Floyd’s voice again, begging over and over for his life!!!”
She added: “The look of enticement, the pure joy and climax on the face of this bigot, murderer, thug, pig, bum, Derek Chauvin, haunts me!! I can’t shake this! I can’t get over an ambulance pulling up to an arrest, a paramedic checking a pulse without removing the very thing that’s hindering it! Is this that fucking normal??? If intentional MURDER is the fit consequence for “drugs” or “resisting arrest”….then what’s the fit consequence for MURDER???! #GeorgeFloyd #AhmaudArbery #BreonnaTaylor”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAy-IpYnqCu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Furthermore, several celebrities participated in protests across the United States over the last few days, in solidarity with the black community.
Among the celebrities protesting were Ariana Grande, Jamie Foxx, Halsey, John Cusack, Michael B. Jordan, Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Kendrick Sampson, Paris Jackson, and countless others.
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