A handcuffed African-American man, George Floyd died after a Minneapolis officer knelt on his neck for more than five minutes.
Photo source: Huffpost
A video of this incident has recorded and exposed online on Tuesday, causing rage in people for the United States police's treatment of African-Americans. Four Minneapolis police officers were fired following the death of George Floyd.
According to CBS Minnesota, the encounter between Floyd and officers happened on Monday night, at about 8 pm, when police were arresting him who attempted to use forged documents at Cup Foods.
“After he got out, he physically resisted officers,” police spokesman John Elder told reporters early Tuesday. “Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and officers noticed that the man was going into medical distress.”
The video was posted by Darnell Frazier on Facebook. From the video, you can see a few people are trying to stop the police but the police refuse to free him from breathing.
"Your knee in my neck. I can't breathe... I can't breathe..." Floyd pleaded.
“He’s not even resisting arrest right now, bro,” one bystander tells the white officer and his partner, in the video. “You’re f—ing stopping his breathing right now, you think that’s cool?”
Floyd stops moving after several minutes. People are worried and asking for the officers to check Floyd’s pulse. However, the officer does not lift his knee until the medical personnel arrive and carry him to an ambulance. He was sent to a hospital and died later.
According to CBS Minnesota, leaders in Minnesota are calling for the officers involved to be held accountable. Rep. Ilhan Omar, who represents Minneapolis, called for the Department of Justice to investigate immediately.
“It is sickening to watch this black man be killed while helplessly begging for help,” she said in a statement.
“The lack of humanity in this disturbing video is sickening. We will get answers and seek justice,” Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz said.
“Being black in America should not be a death sentence,” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said. “What we saw is horrible, completely, and utterly messed up.”
“Investigation will focus on whether the Minneapolis Police Department officers involved willfully deprived the individual of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.” an official statement from FBI’s Minneapolis division
“Now is not the time rush to judgment and immediately condemn our officers,” Lt. Bob Kroll, president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis said. “An in-depth investigation is underway. Our officers are fully cooperating. We must review all video. We must wait for the medical examiner’s report.”
Photo source: Newsfeed
Protesters started gathering at the tragic scene to demand justice for Geroge Floyd.
