Racist Police Officer Charged
with Murder
George Floyd, a black forty-six-year-old, was arrested
after using a counterfeit 20-dollar bill. A few days later, he was announced dead.
Officer Chauvin, who arrived at the scene, is now being charged with his
murder.
Mr Floyd brought a pack of cigarettes from Cup Foods,
a local grocery store. The teenage employee believed the $20 bill to be fake. “Mr
Floyd was a regular at Cup Foods. He was a friendly face, a pleasant customer,
who never caused any trouble,” store owner Mike Abumayyaleh told NBC. Mr
Abumayyaleh was not at work on the day of the incident. The teenager was just
following protocol.
On a call to 911, made at 20:01, the employee demanded
the cigarettes back but “Floyd doesn’t want to do that” according to transcript
released by the authorities. The employee says the man appeared drunk.
At 20:08 the police arrived. Mr Floyd was found sitting
with two other people in a car parked around the corner from Cup Foods. After
approaching the car, Thomas Lane, another officer, pulled out his gun and
ordered George Floyd to show hands. Prosecutors do not explain why Mr Lane
thought it was necessary to draw his gun.
Mr Lane pulled Mr Floyd out of the car and Floyd actively
resisted being handcuffed.
At about 20:14, Mr Floyd stiffened up and told police
officers he was claustrophobic according to the report.
Officer Chauvin arrived and other officers were involved
to try and put Mr Floyd in the police car. During this attempt at 20:19, Mr
Chauvin pulled George Floyd away from the passenger side causing Floyd to fall
to the ground. He lay there face down, still in handcuffs.
Witnesses started to film Floyd as he seemed
distressed. Mr Floyd was restrained by officers while Officer Chauvin placed his
left knee between Floyd head and neck. “I can’t breathe,” Mr Floyd repeatedly
said, pleading for his mother and begging, “please, please, please.” For 8
minutes and 46 seconds Mr Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck. After 6
minutes George became non-responsive. Bystanders urged the police to check his
pulse. Officer JA Kueng tried but could not find one. All other officers did
not move. Mr Chauvin removed his knee at 20:27. Motionless, Mr Floyd was taken
to hospital. An hour later, he was pronounced deceased.
Minnesota governor spoke a prolonged speech saying he
was “thankful to god that a young person filmed it” and how he “did not like
the Minnesota he saw that night”.
Because of George Floyd’s death many people, all over
the world, are now protesting and sharing support to his family.