The last goodbye to George Floyd, a recent victim of police violence in the USA, was in his hometown, Houston, Texas. The African American was honored as a martyr to racism.
“The time has come for us to celebrate his life,” said pastor Mia Wright this Tuesday (09/06) during the funeral ceremonies of African-American George Floyd.
The ceremony took place in a church, attended by many people to pay their last respects. “We can cry, regret, but we will find comfort and hope,” said Wright.
The family of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American who died about two weeks ago after being pinned to the ground by a white policeman who pressed his knee with his neck, hugged each other in front of the coffin, while an evangelical group sang. Silence was imposed when the coffin arrived. From then on, the police formed an honor guard.
“We want the family to know that they are not alone,” said Democratic Congressman Al Green on arrival.
George Floyd’s death took thousands of Americans to the streets to demand an end to police brutality and racial discrimination. The demonstrations have become the largest since the civil rights movement in the USA in the 1960s. Dozens of American cities have been the scene of looting.
“There is a big change going on and everyone, especially black people, must now be part of that,” said Kersey Biagase, who traveled more than three hours from Louisiana with his girlfriend.
The protests also took place outside the United States. From Europe to Australia, demonstrations by indignant people spread across several continents. “Racism is not just an American problem, it is a global problem,” said the victim’s family lawyer, Benjamin Crump.
The funeral took place the day after about 6,000 people attended a public funeral, also in Houston.
“The time has come for racial justice” in the United States, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said on Tuesday in a video released during George Floyd’s funeral.
The four policemen involved were fired, and Agent Derek Chauvin, who put his knee on Floyd’s neck, was charged with second-degree murder and faces a 40-year prison sentence. The rest are liable for assistance and complicity in second-degree murder and involuntary homicide.
