The first of four services to honor George Floyd is about to get underway in Minneapolis … and you can follow it live right here.
Thursday’s memorial service will begin at 11 AM PT at the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University. It’s a private event to be attended by family, friends and invitees of the Floyd family only.
Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy.
On Saturday, a public viewing and a private memorial service will be held in Raeford, North Carolina. George was born nearby in Fayetteville, and his sister said “his family would remember him” in the state.
According to Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin … no protesting will be allowed at this service. Peterkin said, “The memorial is about the life that Mr. George Floyd lived, and this is a time to embrace the family with expressions of love and kindness.”
Finally, on Monday in Houston, there will be a public viewing at The Fountain of Praise Church, followed by a private service Tuesday. Floyd grew up in Houston but left several years ago when he moved to Minnesota.
Facebook/ Darnella Frazier
Of course, Floyd was killed while Minneapolis PD arrested him on May 25. The video of his death — showing ex-cop Derek Chauvin pressing his knee on Floyd’s neck as he pled, “I can’t breathe” — set off a firestorm of outrage. Across the country, protests sprung up … a few of which escalated to riots and violence.
All 4 Minneapolis PD officers involved in the incident were fired within one day, and 4 days later Chauvin was arrested — initially charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
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On Wednesday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison added a 2nd-degree murder charge.
The 3 other ex-cops — Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Keung and Tou Thao — were also arrested and charged with felonies … aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.