Al Sharpton called for justice for George Floyd in a passionate eulogy, taking the opportunity to condemn Donald Trump for using the bible as a prop. See pics and videos from Floyd’s Houston funeral and memorial.
UPDATE (6/9/20 @ 3:37PM ET): Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a stirring eulogy for George Floyd at his Houston funeral, demanding followup from activists advocating, and justice in the form of Derek Chauvin going to prison. “This was not just a tragedy, it was a crime,” Sharpton, 65, said. “This is a time that we need to understand that they are going to do everything they can to delay these trials to try to wear this family down. Until these people pay for what they did, we’re going to be there with them. Because lives like George’s do not matter until someone pays for taking their lives.”
Rev. Al Sharpton delivers the eulogy at George Floyd’s funeral: “Until we know the price for black life is the same as the price for white life, we’re gonna keep coming back to these situations over and over again.” https://t.co/PeN6Eke5X4 pic.twitter.com/7Id07NRLnY
— ABC News (@ABC) June 9, 2020
He continued, “Until we know the price for black life is the same as the price for white life, we’re gonna keep coming back to these situations over and over again… We are not fighting some disconnected incidents. We are fighting an institutional systemic problem that has been allowed to premiate since we were brought to these shores. And we are fighting wickedness in high places.” That was a reference to President Donald Trump; Sharpton criticized the president for using the bible as a “prop” for his photo op at St. John’s Church on June 1.
Sharpton also called for the NFL to give Colin Kaepernick his job back, and not offer him “just some empty apology. Years later, talking about you’re sorry? Then repair the damage you did to the career. We don’t want an apology; we want him repaid. The whole world is kneeling. Pay up.”
UPDATE (6/9/20 @ 3:15PM ET): Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum were among mourners who attended George Floyd‘s funeral service on June 9, in George’s hometown of Houston, TX. The actors stood with the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Michael Brown, Botham Jean, and Eric Garner and wore white. In practicing safety precautions during the COVID-19 outbreak, they also wore face masks.
Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx mourn George Floyd at his Houston funeral (REX/Shutterstock)
ORIGINAL: George Floyd, a beloved father, brother and son is being remembered in Houston, Texas today, following his tragic death. Floyd, an unarmed black man, died at age 46 after being restrained by a white cop, Derek Chauvin, during an arrest in Minneapolis on May 25. Thousands of mourners gathered at The Fountain of Praise Church in Houston, where Floyd grew up, to honor his life that was taken too soon.
Mourners gather at George Floyd’s Houston memorial wearing shirts emblazoned with his last words: “I can’t breathe” (REX/Shutterstock)
George’s family, who joined protesters on June 2, were all in attendance at his Houston memorial. His brothers Terrence and Philonise Floyd, sister Bridgett Floyd, 6-year-old daughter Gianna and her mother, Roxie Washington were all present. Floyd’s good friend, former NBA player Stephen Jackson was front and center with the family as well. Jackson, who’s been a loud voice in seeking justice for his friend, vowed to take care of Floyd’s daughter after his death, including walking her down the aisle one day.
Guests arrive at George Floyd’s Houston memorial carrying flowers (REX/Shutterstock)
George will be laid to rest at the Houston Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Pearland. The memorial is reportedly a ticketed event with more details to follow. The Houston service is the last of three, as separate memorials were held in Minneapolis on June 4, where Floyd was killed, as well as in his birthplace of Raeford, North Carolina on June 6. At the time of his death, Floyd called Minneapolis home.
George’s sister, Bridgett led a massive march through the city of Houston last week. Thousands gathered at Discovery Green park in downtown and knelt in silence to honor him before shouting Floyd’s name as they made their way to City Hall.
A man carries artwork of George Floyd outside his Houston memorial that reads “‘…breathe’ and VOTE” (REX/Shutterstock)
Nationwide protests calling for justice in the death of Floyd began after video footage from his arrest showed Chauvin with his knee pinned down on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes before he died. Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd on May 29. His charge was increased to second-degree murder as of June 3, when the three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest — — Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Keung — were charged with aiding and abetting murder.
Chauvin is currently being held at Minnesota’s only level five maximum-security prison, Oak Park Heights Prison, near the city of Stillwater. He appeared before a judge on June 8, the same day as George’s Houston memorial, and his bail was set a $1.25 million. HollywoodLife recommends resources you can find HERE to support Black Lives Matter, and pay tribute to George Floyd.
Sourse: hollywoodlife.com
