The Reverend Al Sharpton is praising everyone who is protesting the death of George Floyd. Sharpton told people at Floyd’s memorial service at North Central University in Minneapolis, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, it was important to stand for what is right.
He also criticized President Trump’s appearance outside St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC without mentioning his name. Sharpton then compared Floyd’s death with the 2014 killing of Eric Gardner in New York because both told police officers they couldn’t breathe before dying. He also called Floyd’s death the story of Black America saying knees are always on their necks. Sharpton also decried the looting which has happened in civil unrest after Floyd’s death.
Floyd was handcuffed when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes and died while in custody. The officer was fired and has been charged with murder and manslaughter. Three other officers were also fired and charged with accessory.
