Tag: George Floyd

Minneapolis cops involved in George Floyd killing fired

Minneapolis cops involved in George Floyd killing fired

Names of the officers have not been publicly released by the department, but sources confirmed to the Star Tribune the cop pinning Floyd to the pavement is named Derek Chauvin. Chauvin and another officer — widely identified as Tou Thao, though again not yet confirmed by the MPD — were said to be responding to an alleged forgery at a business in south Minneapolis prior to their detainment of Floyd.

Floyd was in handcuffs and not resisting at the beginning of a 10-minute video clip a bystander posted to Facebook Monday evening. Floyd repeatedly begged Chauvin to “please” release the pressure on his back and neck, saying, “I can’t breathe,” and “They’re gonna kill me.”

Over the protest of bystanders, Chauvin continued to keep his knees on top of Floyd for several minutes after he stopped moving, while Thao told witnesses to stand back. Continue reading.

Rep. Phillips statement on the death of George Floyd

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Rep. Dean Phillips released the following statement today:

“As I stated after news first broke of his death, I’m saddened, I’m angry, and I’m horrified by the brutality that needlessly ended George Floyd’s life on May 25th. There can be no justification for the actions taken by the officer shown in the video, and I thank Minneapolis Police Chief Arradondo for his swift action in firing him and the others who stood by while Mr. Floyd struggled to breathe and repeatedly cried for help.

I also join my colleagues in the federal delegation, led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, in calling for a swift and exhaustive investigation at all levels of law enforcement – including at the federal level. Mr. Floyd’s family deserves justice. My hope is that by fully prosecuting this case in pursuit of that, we can also begin to seriously address the inequities in our criminal justice system and focus on saving lives, including the lives of black people who have suffered disproportionately under it for centuries.

George Floyd’s life mattered. We as Minnesotans cannot tolerate the kind of behavior that was on display in that video, nor can we tolerate any behavior that demeans and devalues human beings based on the color of their skin. Tragically, it is too late for George Floyd and his family – but may his memory be a blessing, and may it inspire us all to do whatever in our power to ensure that this never happens again.”

POCI Caucus Statement on the Death of George Floyd

We, the members of the MN Legislative People of Color and Indigenous Peoples Caucus (POCI Caucus) express our condemnation and outrage at the killing of Mr. George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis Police officer Monday, May 25. While we do not know all the details of his death, what we do know is horrifically disturbing and seems an all-too familiar feature of the lives of people of color and Indigenous people – especially of black men – in interactions with law enforcement. That reality is utterly unacceptable and we call on it to end.

The POCI Caucus expresses our sympathy and care for Mr. Floyd’s family and friends in losing a loved one. No family or community should undergo the pain you are experiencing, we share in your loss.

Here is what we’ve been informed: Mr. Floyd died after police officers physically detained him following a report of a non-violent forgery crime. All indications are that he was unarmed and posed no physical threat to anyone. In an ensuing struggle with officers, he was pulled to the ground while one officer knelt on Mr. Floyd’s neck for up to seven minutes. Mr. Floyd could be heard saying repeatedly that he could not breathe and begging to not be killed. Bystanders called for the officer to relent, telling him that he was preventing Mr. Floyd from breathing. A citizen captured these moments on a cell phone video as the officer continued to kneel on Mr. Floyd’s neck and as blood trickled from his face and urine flowed from his body. Mr. Floyd lost consciousness and EMTs arrived shortly afterwards to transport him to HCMC where he was pronounced dead. Continue reading “POCI Caucus Statement on the Death of George Floyd”

DFL Party Statement on the Death of George Floyd

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement on the death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers:

“George Floyd should still be alive today. Justice must be done for him, but it does not change that heartbreaking reality.

“Senseless and vicious killings like these shatter families, destroy trust, and erode the safety and well-being of black Americans everywhere. We must do so much better because this is a matter of life and death for so many across our nation. Black men and women should not have to live in fear of the police officers that are supposed to protect and serve them. They should not have to live in fear that going for a jog could be a death sentence. This violence perpetrated against communities of color has to end.”