Not long after police were slow to act in the brutal killing of Ahmaud Arbery, shocking new footage has emerged of a black man suffocating while being arrested in Minnesota.
As people pleaded with the white officer to stop placing pressure on his neck, George Floyd was being arrested outside a grocery store for allegedly trying to pass a forged check.
Police also believe Floyd was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and resisted officers. The disturbing footage shows that he is unable to breathe, before passing away after being taken to hospital.
He can be repeatedly heard saying, “I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.”
Popular Bible teacher and author Beth Moore tweeted in response to the killing, stating, “Fellow whites who want Black Americans & PoC to receive equal justice & for egregious white supremacy to be dismantled, speak up. Don’t be fragile. You know what’s right. Expect:
“You’re causing division!” Eye roll. “What about abortion??” I’m pro-ALL-life, conception to coffin.
Fellow whites who want Black Americans & PoC to receive equal justice & for egregious white supremacy to be dismantled, speak up. Don’t be fragile. You know what’s right. Expect:
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) May 27, 2020
“You’re causing division!” Eye roll. “What about abortion??” I’m pro-ALL-life, conception to coffin.
In supporting both black people and those willing to stand up to authorities, she also commented, “What I’m trying to say to you is this: be brave. This is about human decency. Dignity. Fairness. Rightness. JUSTICE. Toughen up and accept you’re going to be disliked for something. Make it something that counts. Let’s be the generation the intimidators can’t silence or tire out.”
What I’m trying to say to you is this: be brave. This is about human decency. Dignity. Fairness. Rightness. JUSTICE. Toughen up and accept you’re going to be disliked for something. Make it something that counts. Let’s be the generation the intimidators can’t silence or tire out.
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) May 27, 2020
Four police officers have been fired and his death is being investigated by the FBI. His death is drawing comparison to Eric Garner, who was killed after being put into a chokehold. Garner’s infamous pleas of “I Can’t Breathe” became a rallying cry against police brutality.
In an iPhone and social media age, incidents like both that of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery no longer allow authorities to get away with justice not being served.
The Ahmaud Arbery incidence showed just how passionate the public is about justice, with over 1.6 million people signing a petition for his killers to be arrested. A father and son have since been arrested and charged with murder, including the man who took the video footage.
Meanwhile, thousands of people took to the streets of Minnesota to protest Monday’s death.There has been a second night of violent protests.
“Murder charges are not going to stick,” said one protester at Tuesday’s demonstration. “They pulled that trick on us too many times. We want these people to be prosecuted for manslaughter, because them charges are going to stick. And that sentence is going to be long, still.
“This man can serve 15 years in prison, and still get out and still be able to continue life. It’s going to be hard, but he still can breathe. He can still talk to his family. George can’t. So some change needs to happen.”
