BLM Protests Throughout the US

On May 25th, 2020, Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, held his knee to George Floyd’s neck in a chokehold for nearly nine minutes. Floyd, a black man, pleaded, “I can’t breathe.” Chauvin continued to kneel on his neck even after Floyd lost consciousness, and Floyd was later pronounced dead. The four officers were fired the day after Floyd’s death. But that was not enough. This past week, people throughout the country have been marching and chanting, demanding justice not just for George Floyd, but for all recent victims of police brutality and systemic racism. Floyd’s death followed the recent shootings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, contributing to a long list of police violence against black people. These protests started off locally in the Minneapolis metropolitan area the day after Floyd’s murder. They continued to spread throughout America, starting with Los Angeles and Memphis. Three days later, Chauvin was arrested and charged with third degree murder and second degree manslaughter. The protests went on, and although they started off peaceful, they turned violent, with burning, looting, and vandalism. Police officers utilized tear gas and fired rubber bullets into crowds. Businesses were also set on fire. In some states, governors activated the National Guard to aid police. Although rioting brought havoc, the voice of the protesters made a difference. Today, Chauvin’s partners, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao were charged with aiding and abetting murder. Furthermore, Chauvin’s charge was elevated from third to second degree murder. All of the fifty US states have engaged in protests and contributed to the Black Lives Matter Movement, and the protests have also spread to other countries throughout the world. It is amazing to see how many people have come together to demand justice during this unprecedented time.

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