In the wake of the murder of Minneapolis resident, George Floyd, 46, protests have sprung up across the United States fighting for equal rights, and end to police brutality particularly against people of color.

Floyd died whilst in police custody on May 25, 2020, after Officer Derek Chauvin, 44, placed his left knee between Floyd’s head and neck for almost nine minutes, despite Floyd repeating that he could not breath and displaying no form of restraint, until eventually he lost consciousness. 

So, why did this happen? Floyd was arrested after a store grocery employee from Cup Foods, where Floyd was a local and familiar face, called 911 and reported him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 note to buy cigarettes. The employee was following store protocol. Police arrived at the scene which is where Chauvin restrained Floyd on the ground compressing his neck. Within 19 minutes of the police arriving, Floyd was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center in an ambulance, unconscious. One hour later he was pronounced dead. 

Words: Alice I’Anson 2020
Cover Image: Mike Von via Unsplash