Photo: City of Newark/Twitter
New Jersey is paying tribute toGeorge Floydwith a statue in his honor.
On Wednesday, the city of Newark revealed a 700-lb. bronze statue of Floyd in front of City Hall. During an unveiling ceremony for the public, city officials said the statue will remain in its place for at least one year in recognition of the national impact of Floyd’s death.
“The world needed a peaceful George,” Watts said during the ceremony. “The world needed him relaxed and chilling on a bench and that’s what we produced and we produced him larger than life, because after death, George will be remembered. That’s what memorials are. To remember and never forget why we changed today and tomorrow and for the rest of our existence on this planet.”
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A memorial near the scene of George Floyd’s murder in Minneapolis.KEREM YUCEL/AFP via Getty
PresidentJoe Bidenand Vice PresidentKamala Harrismet with Floyd’s family at the White House on the anniversary of his death as a way to check in with family members during the emotional time. Floyd’s brothers Philonise, Rodney and Terrence, as well as Floyd’s nephew Brandon, all spoke to the press after the meeting and called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which is pending in the Senate as lawmakers work toward a compromise.
The bill, if enacted, would ban chokeholds and select no-knock warrants, create a database to track police misconduct and end racial and religious profiling, among other aspects, according toThe Washington Post. It would also change how police officers are held accountable for misconduct in civil and criminal court.
“Mr. Floyd should be alive today,” Harris said in a statement after the May 25 meeting. “He should be with his family who continue to show courage, grace, and resilience.” The vice president also echoed calls for Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, saying: “We need to do more.”
source: people.com
