End to police brutality

I can't breathe," became the last words of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man from Minnesota, who died on 25th May 2020 at the hands of the police officer Derek Chauvin. His last words were a desperate plea to save his life as the officer pinned him to the ground and choked him for 9 minutes straight, despite the fact that he was cooperating, and ignoring his pleas of mercy.

Two other officers, Thomas Lane, and J. Alexander Keung were responsible for restraining George Floyd, whilst the third officer, Tou Thao stood and watched while Chauvin mercilessly continued his abuse.

Chauvin has now been charged with third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter, whilst Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Keung, and Tou Thao are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and manslaughter.

George Floyd is not the first innocent black man to have died at the hands of police officers. Indeed, people of color have been systematically subjected to police brutality and violence in the United States for decades as a result of institutionalized racism.

Whilst the officers responsible for George Floyd's death have been charged with murder, this is just the beginning. We need to hold police accountable for their unjustifiable violence towards black people.