MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – On Sunday, events will commemorate the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder by a Minneapolis police officer. Religious services, concerts, and vigils are expected to take place, highlighting the ongoing struggles of police reform and civil rights activists who believe they are facing a backlash from the Trump administration.
The events will center on George Floyd Square, located at the intersection where Officer Derek Chauvin infamously restrained Floyd by kneeling on his neck for over nine minutes while Floyd repeatedly uttered, "I can't breathe." Observances began on Friday and included concerts, a street festival, and a "self-care fair," culminating this Sunday with a worship service, gospel music concert, and a candlelight vigil.
In Houston, where George Floyd was raised, family members will gather at his gravesite on Sunday for a memorial service led by Rev. Al Sharpton. Nearby, a memorial service will occur at a local park, followed by five hours of music, preaching, poetry readings, and a balloon release to honor his memory.
These remembrances come at a complex time for activists, who anticipated that the worldwide protests sparked by Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, would result in lasting police reforms and sustained attention to racial justice issues across the United States. Although Minneapolis officials have made commitments to transform the police department, some activists express that the progress has been painfully slow. Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, stated, "We understand that change takes time. However, the progress being claimed by the city is not being felt in the streets."
The Trump administration recently attempted to cancel settlements aimed at overhauling police departments in Minneapolis and Louisville, stemming from the outcry following both Floyd's death and the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor. This departure from reform efforts was in stark contrast to the previous Biden administration's vigorous push for enhanced oversight of local police accused of rampant abuses.
In addition, Trump announced an end to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the federal government, leveraging federal funds to compel local governments, universities, and public school districts to adopt similar measures. In tandem with these federal moves, several Republican-led states have intensified their efforts to eliminate DEI programs from educational and governmental settings.
The fifth anniversary of George Floyd's tragic murder serves not only as a moment of remembrance but also as a somber reflection on the state of social justice movements in America. As activists continue their fight for meaningful change, the disparity between promises made and outcomes experienced serves as a focal point for ongoing advocacy in the quest for racial equity and police reform.
