“I CAN’T BREATHE” | RENEWED CALLS FOR CHANGE FOLLOWING THE DEATHS OF GEORGE FLOYD, BREONNA TAYLOR & AHMAUD ARBERY //
On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was arrested for allegedly trying to pay for merchandise with a counterfeit 20-dollar bill. During his encounter with police, cellphone video taken by bystanders captured the moment where Derick Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on the neck of Floyd for a total of 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Floyd, face down on the pavement, is heard several times yelling: “I can’t breathe!” Three other officers involved did not intervene and kept civilians away from interfering. Floyd subsequently died.
In response, protests and unrest broke out all across the country from New York City to Los Angeles. Vigils and demonstrations also took place abroad in places like Ireland, United Kingdom, Spain, South Africa, Japan and many more. The outrage was shared in the deaths of other black Americans such as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and more. Those words by Floyd have become a rallying cry for the movement as demands for police reform and an end to racism and white supremacy intensify.
Take a look at a sample of news packages on the fight for justice produced and edited at ABC News by Silas.
Please be advised, images featured in some of the stories below are disturbing.
Protests Turn Deadly in Minneapolis
America This Morning
DEVELOPING: Demonstrations in Minneapolis turned deadly overnight and some protesters were seen looting businesses. People are angry over the police-involved death of George Floyd and the mayor is calling for one of the officers involved to be charged. pic.twitter.com/SQKLgCARDp
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) May 28, 2020
Outrage Over the Death of Breonna Taylor
America This Morning
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against three Louisville police officers in the killing of EMT Breonna Taylor. Her family claims she was “executed” by police as officers served a search warrant in the middle of the night. ABC News’ Megan Tevrizian has details. pic.twitter.com/wkURRPYVOM
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) May 14, 2020
George Floyd’s Family Files Civil Suit as New Bodycam Footage in Murder Case Emerges
America This Morning
NEW DEVELOPMENTS: George Floyd’s family has filed a civil suit against authorities. And new video has emerged of Floyd’s arrest. ABC’s Kenneth Moton reports. pic.twitter.com/zZeyQERxDV
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) July 16, 2020
Protests Escalate from Coast-to-Coast After the Death of Daniel Prude
America This Morning
Protesters took to the streets in Oregon and New York demanding police reform. In Rochester, more than 1,000 people peacefully protested the death of Daniel Prude, a Black man who died after an encounter with police. ABC’s Kenneth Moton reports on changes to the city’s police. pic.twitter.com/oIUisvHQmc
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) September 7, 2020
The Sounds of Change
World News Now
SOUNDS OF CHANGE: After a week of unrest, new voices across the country are calling for change. These are the everyday people whose voices we’ve heard this week. pic.twitter.com/BF4pkpohrJ
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) June 5, 2020
Power of the Youth: Students Organize to Make Their Voices Heard
World News Now
POWER OF YOUTH: High school and college students are organizing peaceful protests uniting thousands across the country. @willganss reports on these inspiring young people. pic.twitter.com/XQ1EnotvSy
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) June 4, 2020
Racial Profiling Caught on Camera?
America This Morning
RACIAL PROFILING CAUGHT ON CAMERA? The Los Angeles Police Department is facing fresh scrutiny over the wrongful arrest of a Black man in 2019. ABC’s Trevor Ault has the video. pic.twitter.com/CCIVRKKVJQ
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) April 8, 2021
“Hijacking a Moment and a Movement”
World News Now
Police and demonstrators are calling out looters and crowds taking advantage of peaceful protests on the West Coast and in Miami, saying they’re “hijacking a moment and a movement.” ABC News’ Mona Kosar Abdi reports. pic.twitter.com/iVPQaLnIQb
— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) June 1, 2020
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