Terrence Floyd, George Floyd’s brother and resident of Brooklyn, gathered with activists in Crown Heights on Sunday to reflect on his brother’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer five years ago and express disappointment at the slow pace of racial progress. Terrence expressed his frustration, saying, “Some change is better than no change. Some movement is better than no movement. But five years later, I’m like, come on, we should have been moving faster than this. I don’t see the change that we want.” George Floyd’s killing by Officer Derek Chauvin was captured on video and went viral, sparking outrage and protests across the country, including in New York City. The incident led to a major lawsuit against the NYPD and significant policing reforms. Chauvin was ultimately convicted and sentenced to over 20 years in prison.
Calls for more proactive efforts from the Black Lives Matter movement were made by Terrence, who founded the nonprofit organization We Are Floyd to promote equality, racial justice, and police reform. He expressed confusion over recent rollbacks and attacks on diversity initiatives, emphasizing the importance of diversity in society. Terrence highlighted the need for a shift in mindset, stating, “ We could pass bills, we could march, we could protest, we could chant ‘Black Lives Matter,’ but if your mindset is the same, it doesn’t matter if the bill is in black and white and it’s signed.” Despite the surge in support for the Black Lives Matter movement following his brother’s death, Terrence stressed the need for continued action and progress.
The analysis by the New York Times revealed a troubling trend of increasing police killings annually since George Floyd’s murder, with Black Americans disproportionately affected. While the number of killings of unarmed individuals has decreased, the overall number of police killings has risen, with over 1,200 deaths recorded last year. Terrence shared insights into his relationship with George, noting that they only met in person in 2016 but had meaningful conversations about their shared experiences and struggles. Attendees at the event, including Harlem resident Alexis Jackson, expressed their commitment to fighting for racial justice in George Floyd’s memory, emphasizing the emotional impact of his death and the importance of continuing the fight for what is right. As Jackson stated, “ We’re just going to stand for what’s right and we’re going to keep fighting.” “We have to keep fighting,” she added, “and as long as we keep fighting his name will live.” Terrence and others remain dedicated to the cause, pushing for tangible progress and change in the ongoing fight against racial injustice.
