NEW YORK (Diya TV) — One week ago, at 9:25 pm CDT, George Floyd — a 46-year-old Black father of two — was officially pronounced dead at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On May 25 , Mr. Floyd was killed in broad daylight by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), who kept his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Several bystanders who recorded the killing on their phones captured Mr. Floyd repeating, “Please,” “I can’t breath,” and “Don’t kill me.” The three other police officers, Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng, and Thomas K. Lane all participated in the arrest and based on videos, did nothing to intervene during Mr. Floyd’s last desperate pleas for help.
Since then, Chauvin has been fired, arrested, and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has been asked by Governor Tim Walz and Mr. Floyd’s family to take over the prosecution of Chauvin’s case; Attorney General Ellison said that he anticipates additional charges for the other officers present when Mr. Floyd was murdered. Additionally, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the matter and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is also investigating possible violations of Minnesota statutes.
In the week since, the Sikh Coalition has joined demands for a completely thorough and transparent investigation into the police misconduct involved in the death of Mr. Floyd and signed onto calls for new federal legislation to increase transparency and thwart police abuse. We also echo the anger felt by millions of Americans across the nation.
Systemic anti-Black racism within law enforcement and throughout the United States contributes directly to the deaths of unarmed Black people. This deadly problem has to change and the Sikh community must stand in unequivocal solidarity with Black Americans in our shared struggle to combat bigotry, racism, and hate.
The Black community has led the civil rights movement and paved the path for all minorities in this country, including Sikh Americans. We must continue to support efforts to ensure justice, including ongoing demands for complete transparency and accountability in the murder of George Floyd and countless others who have been killed as a result of police brutality. We must address the anti-Black sentiments within our own community by vocalizing that Black Lives Matter. We must stand and act in solidarity. Here is a guide on how to be an ally.
There are a myriad of exceptional frontline organizations you can support and actions that you can take to specifically demand justice and show solidarity in response to George Floyd’s case. For more information on some of those organizations or direct action initiatives, click here.
As always, the Sikh Coalition urges you to practice your faith fearlessly.
