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George Floyd

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Hecato (talk | contribs) at 22:40, 9 June 2020 (Undid revision 961696963 by Kenny121978 (talk) Repeated unjustified removal of sourced text passages.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the African American killed during a police arrest. For the pro athlete, see George Floyd (American football). For other uses, see George Floyd (disambiguation).

George Floyd
Floyd in 2016
Born
George Perry Floyd Jr.

(1973-10-14)October 14, 1973[1]
Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S.
Died (aged 46)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
EducationSouth Florida Community College
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Occupation(s)Truck driver, security guard
Children5

George Perry Floyd Jr. (October 14, 1973 – May 25, 2020) was an African-American man who was killed by police during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020. Protests in response to both Floyd's death, and more broadly to police violence against other black people, quickly spread across the United States and internationally.

Floyd grew up in Houston, Texas. He excelled in football and played other sports throughout high school and college. Called "Perry" by his friends and family, Floyd was characterized by people who knew him as a "gentle giant." A blue-collar worker, Floyd was also an early contributor to the development of Houston's hip-hop scene and a mentor who was active in his religious community. Later, he faced several arrests for theft and drug possession; in 2009, he made a plea deal for an armed robbery, serving four years in prison.

In 2014, he moved to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area to find work both as a truck driver and a bouncer. In 2020, he lost his security job because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He died after being arrested for allegedly using counterfeit money to buy cigarettes; during the arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on his neck and back for eight minutes and 46 seconds, leading to his death. Events of his arrest, death, and the actions of the officers have led to international Black Lives Matter protests, calls for police reform, and legislation to address perceived racial inequalities.

Early life and education

Floyd was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and raised in Cuney Homes in the Third Ward of Houston, Texas.[2][3][4][5]

At Yates High School, Floyd played on the basketball team, and helped lead the football team to the Texas state championships; he graduated in 1993.[2][4][5] He attended South Florida Community College for two years and played on its basketball team.[6][7] He transferred to Texas A&M University–Kingsville, where he also played basketball, before dropping out.[5] Friends and family called him Perry, and characterized him as a "gentle giant".[8][9] He was 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and weighed 223 pounds (101 kg).[10]

Later life

Floyd returned to Houston where he became an automotive customizer, and played club basketball.[5][11] Beginning in 1994, he also performed as a rapper using the stage name "Big Floyd" in the hip hop group Screwed Up Click.[5][12][13][14] Floyd has been called an early contributor to the development of Houston's hip-hop scene.[5] He also was an informal community leader and mentor to young men in a Christian church community.[15]

After several arrests for theft and drug possession, Floyd was charged in 2007 with armed robbery in a home invasion which he committed with five other men; he agreed to a plea deal in 2009 and was sentenced to five years in prison.[2][16][17] He was paroled in 2013 after spending four years at the Diboll Unit.[5] After his release, he became involved with Resurrection Houston, a local ministry.[2]

In 2014, he moved to the Minneapolis, Minnesota area to find work, as some of his close friends had done.[18][19] He worked as a truck driver and a bouncer, and lived in St. Louis Park.[3][5][20] In 2017, he filmed an anti–gun violence video.[2][9] In 2020, he lost his security job because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]

Personal life

Floyd had five children, including two daughters who reside in Houston, ages 6 and 22, and an adult son in Bryan, Texas.[22][23][24]

Death

Main article: Killing of George Floyd

On May 25, 2020, Floyd was arrested on a charge of passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store in the Powderhorn Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. According to the store clerk, the bill was an obvious fake and Floyd had refused to return the purchased cigarettes when challenged.[25]

He died after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee to Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds during the arrest. Floyd was handcuffed face down in the street,[26][27][28] while two other officers further restrained Floyd and a fourth prevented onlookers from intervening.[29]: 6:24 [30][31] For the last three of those minutes Floyd was motionless and had no pulse,[26][28] but officers made no attempt to revive him.[32]: 6:46  Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd's neck as arriving emergency medical technicians attempted to treat him.[32]: 7:21 

The official autopsy found Floyd died of cardiopulmonary arrest caused by subdual and restraint.[10][33] The toxicologist found several psychoactive substances or metabolites in his system, and the medical examiner noted fentanyl intoxication and recent methamphetamine use as significantly contributory to his death, though not the cause.[10][34] A second autopsy, commissioned by Floyd's family and performed by Michael Baden, without access to various tissue and fluid samples, found that the "evidence is consistent with mechanical asphyxia as the cause" of death, with neck compression restricting blood flow to the brain, and back compression restricting breathing.[35]

After Floyd's death, demonstrations and protests were held globally against the use of excessive force by police officers and lack of police accountability. Accounts of looting, violence and aggressive police activity occurred at many of these protests.[36][37][38] Protests developed in over 400 cities throughout all 50 U.S. states and internationally.[39][40]

Memorials and legacy

File:The George Floyd mural outside Cup Foods at Chicago Ave and E 38th St in Minneapolis, Minnesota.jpg
Mural of George Floyd near where he died

Various memorial services were planned across the world. On June 4, 2020, a memorial service for Floyd took place in Minneapolis with the Rev. Al Sharpton delivering the eulogy.[8][41] Services were planned in North Carolina with a public viewing and private service on June 6 and in Houston on June 8 and 9.[42] Floyd will be buried next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd, in Pearland, Texas.[43][44][45]

External videos
video icon George Floyd Memorial Service in Minneapolis, June 4, 2020, C-SPAN

North Central University hosted the Minneapolis memorial service, announcing a memorial scholarship in Floyd's name and challenging other colleges and universities to follow suit.[46][47] University president Scott Hagen announced that as of June 4, the scholarship fund had received US$53,000 in donations.[47] Alabama State announced a scholarship honoring Floyd and Greg Gunn in response hours later, challenging other historically black colleges and universities to follow suit; HBCU Oakwood University announced a scholarship that same day.[48][49] Missouri State University, Southeast Missouri State and Ohio University announced June 5 that the schools would offer George Floyd scholarships.[50][51][52] On June 6 SUNY Buffalo State and Copper Mountain College announced scholarships in Floyd's name.[53][54]

Street artists globally created murals honoring Floyd. Depictions included Floyd as a ghost in Minneapolis, as an angel in Houston and as a saint weeping blood in Naples. A mural on the International Wall in Belfast commissioned by Festival of the People (Féile an Phobail) and Visit West Belfast (Fáilte Feirste Thiar) features a large portrait of Floyd above a tableau showing Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck while the three other officers turn their backs and each covers his eyes, ears, or mouth in the manner of the Three Wise Monkeys ("See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil").[55][56][57] By June 6, murals had been created in many cities, including Manchester, Dallas, Miami, Idlib, Los Angeles, Nairobi, Oakland, Strombeek-Bever, Berlin, Pensacola, and La Mesa.[58][59]

References

  1. ^ "Mr. George Floyd Jr. - View Obituary & Service Information". Mr. George Floyd Jr. Obituary. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e "An athlete, friend and father - who was George Floyd?". BBC News. May 31, 2020. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Richmond, Todd (May 28, 2020). "Who was George Floyd? Unemployed due to coronavirus, he'd moved to Minneapolis for a fresh start". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Gill, Julian (May 27, 2020). "In Houston, friends and family mourn 'gentle giant' George Floyd amid calls for murder charges for cops". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Hall, Michael (May 31, 2020). "The Houston Years of George Floyd". Texas Monthly. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  6. ^ Ebrahimji, Alisha (May 29, 2020). "This is how loved ones want us to remember George Floyd". CNN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  7. ^ Holton, Jennifer (May 29, 2020). "'A good guy:' College classmate, coach remember George Floyd". WTVT. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  8. ^ a b Wallace, Danielle (June 4, 2020). "Hundreds, including Al Sharpton, Eric Garner's mom, mourn at George Floyd memorial in Minneapolis". Fox News. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  9. ^ a b Mee, Emily (June 7, 2020). "Who was George Floyd? The 'gentle giant' who was trying to turn his life around". Sky News. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "Hennepin County ME Autopsy Report" (PDF). Hennepin County. June 1, 2020. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  11. ^ Lance Scott Walker (2019). Houston Rap Tapes: An Oral History of Bayou City Hip-Hop. University of Texas Press. p. 83. ISBN 9781477317938. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  12. ^ Julian, Gill (May 27, 2020). "Before dying in Minneapolis police custody, George Floyd grew up in Houston's Third Ward". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  13. ^ Burney, Lawrence (May 29, 2020). "The Rap Report: To George Floyd a.k.a. Big Floyd of the legendary Screwed Up Click". FADER. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  14. ^ Holmes, Charles (July 2, 2020). "'He Shook the World': George Floyd's Legendary Houston Legacy". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  15. ^ "George Floyd Left a Gospel Legacy in Houston". Christianity Today. June 5, 2020. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  16. ^ Toone, Stephanie (June 3, 2020). "George Floyd, man killed in Minneapolis police encounter, had started new life in Minnesota". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  17. ^ Walters, Joanna (May 29, 2020). "An athlete, a father, a 'beautiful spirit': George Floyd in his friends' words". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  18. ^ Toone, Stephanie (May 29, 2020). "Floyd's brother tearfully asked for justice and peace following the 46-year-old bouncer's death Thursday". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020. George Floyd moved to Minneapolis a few years ago from his native Houston, Texas, seeking new opportunities, following some close friends who had done likewise, and found jobs in the Minnesota city.
  19. ^ Evelyn, Kenya (June 3, 2020). "'I miss him': George Floyd's daughter speaks out for first time". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020. She added Floyd was a good father who wanted his daughter 'to have the best'.
  20. ^ "George Floyd was killed on May 25". The Economist. June 4, 2020. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020. He liked being a bouncer. His regular stint was at the Conga Latin Bistro on East Hennepin, another Mexican-Latino joint with dining and dancing.
  21. ^ Richmond, Todd (May 28, 2020). "George Floyd had started a new life in Minnesota before he was killed by police". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  22. ^ Ortiz, Jorge L.; Hertel, Nora G.; Emert, Mark (June 4, 2020). "'He was like the general': Mourners grieve George Floyd at Minneapolis memorial service". USA Today. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  23. ^ Ellis, Nicquel Terry; Davis, Tyler J. (May 28, 2020). "George Floyd remembered as 'gentle giant' as family calls his death 'murder'". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  24. ^ "George Floyd's son joins Texas protesters in peaceful demonstration Archived June 4, 2020, at the Wayback Machine," KTRK-TV, (a local ABC News affiliate), June 1, 2020.
  25. ^ Furber, Matt; Burch, Audra D. S.; Robles, Frances (May 29, 2020). "George Floyd Worked With Officer Charged in His Death". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  26. ^ a b Complaint – State of Minnesota v. Derek Michael Chauvin Archived May 30, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, Minnesota District Court, Fourth Judicial District, File No. 27-CR-20-12646. May 29, 2020.
  27. ^ Brooks, Jennifer (May 28, 2020). "George Floyd and the city that killed him". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020. Down the road, people were marching and mourning Floyd, whose irreplaceable life ended after an arrest face-down on the asphalt of E. 38th Street.
  28. ^ a b Silverman, Hollie (May 29, 2020). "Floyd was "non-responsive" for nearly 3 minutes before officer took knee off his neck, complaint says". CNN. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020. Chauvin had his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in total, and 2 minutes and 53 seconds after Floyd was unresponsive, the complaint said.
  29. ^ Bennett, Dalton; Lee, Joyce; Cahlan, Sarah (May 30, 2020). "The death of George Floyd: What video and other records show about his final minutes". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 1, 2020. (video @ YouTube Archived June 2, 2020, at the Wayback Machine)
  30. ^ Mannix, Andy (May 26, 2020). "What we know about Derek Chauvin and Tou Thao, two of the officers caught on tape in the death of George Floyd". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on May 27, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  31. ^ "Officer Charged With George Floyd's Death as Protests Flare". The New York Times. Associated Press. May 29, 2020. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  32. ^ a b Hill, Evan; Tiefenthäler, Ainara; Triebert, Christiaan; Jordan, Drew; Willis, Haley; Stein, Robin (May 31, 2020). "8 Minutes and 46 Seconds: How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020. (video @ YouTube Archived June 1, 2020, at the Wayback Machine)
  33. ^ "George Floyd death was homicide, says updated medical examiner's report". www.abc.net.au. June 1, 2020. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  34. ^ "Hennepin County Press Release on George Floyd's Death" (PDF). Hennepin County. June 1, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  35. ^ Furber, Matt; Burch, Audra D. S.; Robles, Frances (May 29, 2020). "George Floyd Worked With Officer Charged in His Death". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  36. ^ AP (May 28, 2020). "Violent protests rock Minneapolis for 2nd straight night over in-custody death". KABC-TV. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  37. ^ Jimenez, Omar; Chavez, Nicole; Hanna, Jason (May 28, 2020). "As heated protests over George Floyd's death continue, Minnesota governor warns of 'extremely dangerous situation'". CNN. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  38. ^ DeMarche, Edmund (May 28, 2020). "Deadly shooting near George Floyd protest as looting, arson grip Minneapolis". Fox News Channel. Archived from the original on May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020. Some protesters skirmished with officers, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas in a repeat of Tuesday night's confrontation
  39. ^ Murphy, Esme (May 26, 2020). "'I Can't Breathe!': Video Of Fatal Arrest Shows Minneapolis Officer Kneeling On George Floyd's Neck For Several Minutes". KSTP-TV. Archived from the original on May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2020. While lying facedown on the road, Floyd repeatedly groans and says he can't breathe.
  40. ^ Donaghue, Erin (May 29, 2020). "Mayor makes emotional call for peace after violent protests: "I believe in Minneapolis"". CBS News. Archived from the original on May 29, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  41. ^ Ling, Thomas (June 2020). "How to watch the George Floyd memorial online and on TV". Radio Times. Retrieved June 6, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  42. ^ "George Floyd memorial in North Carolina as sheriff's officers escort his body". NBC News. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  43. ^ "Floyd's casket arrives at Houston church for public viewing". AP NEWS. June 8, 2020.
  44. ^ Croft, Jay. "Mourners visit George Floyd's casket in Houston to pay respects". CNN.
  45. ^ "George Floyd's Body Returns To Houston For Memorial Service, Funeral". June 7, 2020.
  46. ^ Nietzel, Michael T. (June 4, 2020). "A University President Challenges Every College In America To Fund A George Floyd Memorial Scholarship". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  47. ^ a b Torres, Ella (June 4, 2020). "George Floyd memorial updates: Floyd's brother says 'he touched so many people's hearts'". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  48. ^ "ASU Establishes George Floyd/Greg Gunn Memorial Scholarship | Alabama State University". www.alasu.edu. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  49. ^ "Answering the Challenge: Oakwood Establishes George Floyd Scholarship". Oakwood University News. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  50. ^ Ogle, Nikki. "Missouri State University planning scholarship named after George Floyd". www.ky3.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  51. ^ "President Nellis and Vice President Secuban announce George Floyd Memorial Scholarship Fund". www.ohio.edu. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  52. ^ "George Floyd Memorial Scholarship Established at Southeast". news.semo.edu. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  53. ^ "Scholarship created in George Floyd's name". wqad.com. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  54. ^ "Copper Mountain College announces George Floyd Scholarship Fund". z1077fm.com. June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  55. ^ "'Black Lives Matter' mural solidarity with family of George Floyd" – via www.facebook.com.
  56. ^ Jonathan Jones (June 5, 2020). "Ghost, angel, martyr: the brutal brilliance of George Floyd murals from Syria to Belfast". The Guardian. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  57. ^ Adam Jeffery , Hannah Miller (June 5, 2020). "Murals of George Floyd emerge around the world". CNBC. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  58. ^ Steele, Austin; Almond, Kyle (June 6, 2020). "George Floyd murals are popping up all over the world". CNN. Retrieved June 6, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  59. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 6, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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