This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On Thursday, a memorial service was held for George Floyd, a 46-year-old man who was killed by police in Minneapolis on May 25. The service was attended by hundreds, including civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton, who delivered a eulogy.
Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for George Floyd's family, told the service that it was not the coronavirus pandemic that killed George Floyd, but rather a “pandemic of racism and discrimination.”
Those gathered at the service stood in silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time Floyd was alleged to be on the ground under the control of police. The silence was a powerful statement, as it echoed the demands of protesters who have been calling for justice and an end to systemic racism.
As the memorial service took place, three police officers charged with aiding and abetting Mr Floyd's murder made their first appearance in court. Bail was set at $1m, but would be lowered to $750,000 if they handed in any guns they owned and met other conditions.
Meanwhile, Derek Chauvin, the officer who continued to kneel on Mr Floyd's neck as he pleaded that he could not breathe, has been charged with second-degree murder and is due to appear in court on Monday.
Protests have erupted across the US and internationally, with rallies taking place in cities such as London, Paris, and Sydney. The demonstrations have been largely peaceful, but some have descended into violence and rioting, with curfews imposed in several cities.
Former President Barack Obama has spoken out about the protests, saying that they are as profound as anything he has seen in his lifetime. He called on Americans to seize the chance to deal with underlying problems in society.
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has also issued a personal message about Floyd's death, saying that his life mattered and recent events had been devastating.
