Congressional Democrats held a moment of silence in honor of George Floyd for the second time this month. This time around, the group of lawmakers honored Floyd’s memory by holding their silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds. This gestures matches the amount of time former officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck before he died.
Congressional Democrats take a knee as they observe a nearly nine minute moment of silence for George Floyd at Emancipation Hall at the U.S. Capitol. https://t.co/JnqDlzMFDq pic.twitter.com/8CBdgtLUjz
— ABC News (@ABC) June 8, 2020
Floyd’s death has quickly become one of the biggest stories in decades. Sparking protests in all fifty states for the first time in history, Floyd’s death has been the catalyst for a international movement against police brutality and systemic racism. In the days since his death, cities around the country have pledged millions of dollars toward Black communities, altered legislature and defunded police departments. Still, there is so much to be done in the cases of Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and many others.
As lawmakers meet up on Capitol Hill, citizens expect movement to be made on law enforcement reform on a national level. In the meantime, protesters remain committed to the movement as protests garnered their largest crowds yet over the weekend. Not to mention, demonstrations have emerged in South Korea, Spain, Israel and other countries overseas. Change will come and the time is now.
