George Floyd One Year Later: How different cities remembered him

by Milkscope Staff

A year has passed since the murder of George Floyd by former police officer Derek Chauvin. The fateful event sparked waves of protest across the country and the world as people gathered outraged. They condemned the use of excessive force by Chauvin captured on cellphone footage. In the months that followed, corporations, politicians and individuals pledged to facilitate change, Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts in April, and a new generation of activists emerged at the forefront of the movement for police reform. One year later, here is how different cities commemorated the passing of George Floyd:

In Minneapolis, people gathered on the intersection where Floyd was murdered: 38th and Chicago Avenue. The intersection has since been renamed George Floyd Square. The George Floyd Memorial Foundation celebrated Floyd’s life in Downtown Minneapolis, with speeches from members of the Floyd family, the mayor, Jacob Frey, and the former president of Minneapolis’ NAACP Nekima Levy Armstrong.

In Houston, where Floyd was born, several tributes were held as well. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee held a balloon release at Cuney Homes where Floyd grew up. Floyd’s sister, LaTonya was in attendance. The park across from Floyd’s highschool, Yates High School, was also named in his honor.

In NYC, thousands rallied to mark the anniversary of Floyd’s passing. In Harlem, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Rev Al Sharpton, and more knelt for 9 minutes and 29 seconds to mark the amount of time convicted officer Derek Chauvin knelt on George Floyd’s neck.

In Chicago, activists held a vigil and called for police reform. In Downtown Chicago, activists called for tangible reform, not just promises.

In Los Angeles, several events were held throughout the county. In Hollywood, activists rallied on intersections. Across from the police department in Downtown LA at city hall, the Black Lives Matter local chapter organized an event. In Leimert Park, Angelenos knelt for 9 minutes and 29 seconds.

In Cleveland, people rallied on the westside. Organized by Black on Black Crime Inc. and the Black Man's Army, the event drew people who had lost loved ones to excessive force and police encounters.

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