It has been a bitter-sweet moment mostly for African Americans in the United States as the police officer, Derek Chauvin, who was responsible for the death of George Floyd, was detained on 29th May 2020. Derek Chauvin has been charged with murder and manslaughter, but many people seem unsatisfied with this sentence. The angry citizens are making demands that the other officers present during this inhuman act be arrested.
What exactly killed Mr. George Floyd?
No results of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation were found after the medical examination was done. It was, however, discovered that there were potential toxic substances present in his body. This might have contributed to the forty-six-year old’s death. This, however, does not calm the angry and hurt protestors.
A former club owner claims that both Chauvin and George worked as bouncers in the club though it is not clear whether they knew each other.
Have George’s killers been arrested?
Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of the late George Floyd. His family and lawyer say that the sentence was overdue and that they wanted him to be charged with first-degree murder alongside the officers involved.
Moreover, Chauvin’s wife has filed for divorce, raising the question, “Does she know something that we don’t?”
Stop Killing us, black lives matter!
The murder of George Floyd has sparked protests all over the United States, calling for equal treatment among all races. Phrases like “Black lives matter” and “Stop killing us” are now trending as protesters reminisce about all the racist occurrences in the past.
The protests are a brave way of the African-American community to project their exasperation over the deep wounds that have been reopened by perceived racist authorities. The White House underwent a temporary lockdown as protestors gathered outside it chanting, “I can’t breathe” and “Don’t kill me,” Floyd’s last words.
Involved police officers claim that George Floyd physically resisted co-operating, which forced them to cuff him. Floyd was suspected of having used a counterfeit twenty-dollar-bill prompting his arrest.
Wanton destruction
According to Minnesota’s Governor , what started as a fight for equality, seems to have become wanton destruction.
Buildings have been vandalized, and a police vehicle set ablaze near the CNN offices in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has pleaded with the protestors saying,
This is not a protest. This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. You are disgracing our city. You are disgracing the life of George Floyd.”
Meanwhile, in New York, many police officers have been injured by protesters who have vandalized buildings, destroyed vehicles, and thrown projectiles. Many of these protestors have been arrested and they will cooling their heels in the cells over this weekend.
