LeBron James, Meek Mill, and More React to George Floyd’s Death
Written by SOURCE on May 27, 2020
Notable figures across entertainment, sports, and politics are speaking out against the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who allegedly suffocated while being detained by police.
The tragic incident occurred Monday in Minneapolis, after officers attempted to arrest Floyd on suspicion of forgery. A passerby filmed an officer kneeling on the back of Floyd’s neck, as the 46-year-old was face down on the pavement screaming, “Please, I can’t breathe!” The officer ignores Floyd’s pleas and refuses to release the man from his hold. Moments later, Floyd goes quiet and appears to lose consciousness. He was transported to the hospital and was pronounced dead.
LeBron James and Snoop Dogg were among those who juxtaposed the disturbing image of the kneeling officer to a photo of Colin Kaepernick’s #TakeaKnee demonstration against police brutality. Kaepernick’s girlfriend, Nessa, retweeted the side-by-side pictures, which showed “This …” over the officer and “…Is Why” over the former 49ers QB.
Retired NFL athlete Donte Stallworth echoed the message in a tweet that included footage of Floyd pleading for his life.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo confirmed Tuesday that the four officers involved in the incident were no longer with the department. City mayor, Jacob Frey, shared a subsequent tweet stating the unidentified officers had been terminated.
The FBI and state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating Floyd’s death, while the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is working with federal prosecutors to determine if criminal prosecution will be pursued.
“We promise a thorough, expedited review consistent with our on-going commitment to justice,” the county attorney’s office said in a statement. “Every person is entitled to fairness; no person stands above the law.”
On Tuesday night, protestors flooded the streets of Minneapolis calling for an end to police brutality as well as justice for Floyd. According to Star Tribune, protesters were met with police in riot gear who used tear gas.
Huge protests have broken out in the streets of Minneapolis over the killing of #GeorgeFloyd by Minneapolis police pic.twitter.com/kXSIt4vLcy
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) May 27, 2020
Celebrities, politicians, and sports stars have made calls on social media using the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter and #GeorgeFloyd.
You can read some of the reactions below.
You deserved your breath, your dignity, your life. Not to die in the street, murdered by a white cop’s knee on your neck. You deserve our tears, our prayers, our rage, our action. We must act – for you – and for all of those were no cameras are present. We must. #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/JeMNUtkXv6
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) May 27, 2020
