Advertisement

'You changed the world, George': George Floyd remembered in rousing, poignant memorial service

Politicians, civil rights legends and pro athletes joined family members at a Minneapolis memorial to mourn George Floyd.

June 5, 2020 at 2:42PM
Mourners stood outside to hear a broadcast of Thursday's memorial service for George Floyd. Hundreds stood outside the service at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis.
Darcy Golish left and her daughter Gemini Madison 19, held each other during an audio broadcast of George Floyd memorial service at 38th and Chicago .
Roy Wallace wiped tears from his eyes during an audio broadcast of George Floyd memorial service at 38th and Chicago .
Michael Wilson of Coon Rapids held the American Flag as the Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to people at 38th and Chicago .
Junette Broadnax of Plymouth celebrated the life of George Floyd. Audio from his memorial service was played live for the people at 38th and Chicago .
Martin Tahmo left and Alpha Ly, raised there fist during an audio broadcast of George Floyd memorial service at 38th and Chicago .
The hearse carrying George Floyd's casket departed from North Central University through E. 15th Street and Chicago following a private memorial service for Floyd Thursday.
The hearse carrying George Floyd's casket departed from North Central University down E. 15th Street following a private memorial service for Floyd Thursday.
George Floyd's casket was taken from a private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Trinity Dunlap, 15, of Maple Grove, held a Black Lives Matter sign over her head as she listened to Thursday's private memorial for George Floyd downtown. She says she wants to see justice and the abolishment and reformation of police.
George Floyd's name was yelled out as his casket was taken from a private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Mourners gathered around, embraced and prayed for a man, who did not wish to be identified, as he was overcome with grief outside the memorial service for George Floyd in Minneapolis Thursday.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo made his way out of George Floyd's private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
The casket of George Floyd was put in a hearse after a memorial service at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Attorney Benjamin Crump spoke during a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
The Rev. Al Sharpton spoke during a memorial service Thursday for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Jesse Jackson stood at the casket before a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey knelt at the casket before a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Philonise Floyd told a story about his brother during a a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Attorney Benjamin Crump spoke during a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Family members during a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Martin Luther King III, Gov. Tim Walz, First Lady Gwen Walz, Sarah Clarke, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner at the memorial service.
Tyrese Gibson, Will Packer, Kevin Hart, Ludacris and T.I. during a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner and Tiffany Haddish during a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Senator Amy Klobuchar stood at the casket before a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Senator Tina Smith stood at the casket before a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and wife Sarah Clarke stood at the casket before a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Jesse Jackson hugged Kevin Hart before a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
A crowd gathered outside of the memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
George Floyd's family members made their way into a private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and George Floyd's family made their way into a private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Flowers and face masks were left on a poster, memorializing George Floyd, outside Thursday's private memorial in downtown Minneapolis.
Ty Henderson, of south Minneapolis, raised his fist in the air during Thursday's memorial downtown. "I've been out here every single day on the front lines," said Henderson, 25. "I've seen a lot of things that shouldn't be normal (in this country) but they are."
A crowd gathered outside of the a memorial service for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
Verretta Strickland of St. Paul became emotional as she and others gathered in the street at the site of George Floyd's death to be together and listen to audio from Floyd's memorial service Thursday in south Minneapolis.
A woman prayed as Rep. Ilhan Omar, along with members of the United States Congressional Black Caucus visited the site of George Floyd's death Thursday in south Minneapolis.
The scene at Chicago Ave. and 38th St. S., outside Cup Foods, where George Floyd was killed in late May, while a Memorial service was going on for Floyd in downtown Minneapolis Thursday, June 4, 2020. Here, people in the large crowd raised their hands in the air as a prayer was said at the Floyd Memorial service, broadcast over speakers.
A girl wept as she visited the site of George Floyd's death near Cup Foods in south Minneapolis.
A man and woman who asked not be identified comforted one another as they visited the site of George Floyd's death near Cup Foods in south Minneapolis.
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), along with members of the United States Congressional Black Caucus visited the site of George Floyd's death Thursday in south Minneapolis.
The scene at Chicago Ave. and 38th St. S., outside Cup Foods, where George Floyd was killed in late May, while a Memorial service was going on for Floyd in downtown Minneapolis, the sound broadcast at the scene Thursday, June 4, 2020. Here, a mother and child used their sign to create shade before the Memorial service for George Floyd had started.
As the private memorial service for George Floyds was taking place across town, a crowd gathered at the corner of Chicago Avenue and 38th Street where Floyd was killed. The sprawling memorial with piles of flowers, art work, pleas for justice, a chalk drawing of Floyd's body with wings and a list of othes who have died at the hands of police. brian.peterson@startribune.com Minneapolis, MN Thursday, June 4, 2020
Mourners took a knee and put their heads down for George Floyd while listening to his memorial service Thursday.
The Minneapolis African American Professional Firefighters Association took a knee after George Floyd's private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Musician Tyrese Gibson spoke to ET after George Floyd's private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Actor Kevin Hart briefly spoke to ET after George Floyd's private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN.
Slide 1 of 47
Mourners stood outside to hear a broadcast of Thursday's memorial service for George Floyd. Hundreds stood outside the service at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

George Floyd's body lay in a carefully polished gold casket reflecting a struggle and a beauty bigger than any one man.

In the surrounding sanctuary, hundreds of politicians, civic leaders and celebrities gathered Thursday to support a grieving family and pay respects to the 46-year-old black security guard who gasped for air in the final minutes of his life beneath the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer. It was a scene that sparked global anger like few police brutality cases before it, challenging a nation to confront its racial disparities and injustices at the hands of law enforcement.

"When I looked this time and saw marches where, in some cases, young whites outnumbered the blacks marching, I know that it's a different time and a different season," said national civil rights leader the Rev. Al Sharpton, referencing a Bible verse in a eulogy that roused several standing ovations. "Go on home, George. Get your rest, George. You changed the world, George."

The private service at North Central University, about 3 miles from the site of Floyd's Memorial Day arrest, followed more than a week of escalating tensions in cities across the nation, his death spurring widespread arson, looting and destruction as well as massive but peaceful protests. It came amid economic hardship and national unrest spurred by a COVID-19 pandemic that's claimed more than 100,000 lives.

A few of Floyd's family members spoke with reverence for the man they said they looked up to growing up in Houston.

As he stood behind his brother's casket, amid displays with Floyd's image and sprays of white and purple flowers, Philonise Floyd said the family was poor and didn't have much.

They washed their socks in a sink and dried them on a water heater because they didn't have machines, he said — but he and "Perry," as they called George, were happy playing video games and football and cooking and dancing with their mother.

"Everywhere you'd go and see people how they cling to him," the brother said. "They wanted to be around him. ... George, he was like a general. Every day, he walks outside, there'd be a line of people … wanted to greet him and wanted to have fun with him. Guys that was doing drugs, smokers and homeless people, you couldn't tell, because when you spoke to George, they felt like they was the president. Because that's how he made you feel."

Advertisement

"It's crazy, man," he said. "All these people came to see my brother. That's amazing to me that he touched so many people's hearts. You know, because he been touching our hearts."

Cousin Shareeduh Tate said they were raised in a family that welcomed everyone.

"George was somebody who was always welcoming, always making people feel like that they were special. Nobody felt left out," she said, adding that she will miss his hugs the most.

"He was this great big giant, and when he would wrap his arms around you, you would just feel like … everything would just go away. Any problems you had, any concerns you had would go away."

All four fired officers charged

As of Wednesday, all four officers involved in the case had been arrested: Officer Derek Chauvin, who was seen kneeling on Floyd's neck in a bystander video that went viral, was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

The other three officers on the scene face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder while committing a felony and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter with culpable negligence.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Floyd family attorney Ben Crump said a team of lawyers is working together for the family because it will take "a united effort in the courtroom and outside the courtroom to get justice for George Floyd."

'Pandemic of racism'

Floyd wasn't killed by the coronavirus, Crump told the mask-wearing crowd inside the sanctuary, but by the "other pandemic that we're far too familiar with in America — that pandemic of racism and discrimination."

Sharpton's speech drew both quiet reflection and loud applause from the crowd in the sanctuary, including Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Medaria Arradondo, who fired the four officers involved in Floyd's arrest.

Also sitting among them were civil rights leaders Martin Luther King III and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Celebrities attending the two-hour service included actor Kevin Hart and rappers Master P and Ludacris, along with several members of the Minnesota Vikings and retired NBA standout Stephen Jackson, one of Floyd's closest friends.

Before the ceremony, Frey appeared to sob as he knelt before Floyd's casket.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Thursday's service was the first of three this week to memorialize Floyd. Another memorial is scheduled for Saturday in Raeford, N.C., where Floyd was born. On Tuesday, a funeral will be held in Houston, where he lived much of his life until moving to the Twin Cities about five years ago.

Knee of racism

In his eulogy Thursday, Sharpton drew parallels between the police officer's knee on Floyd's neck and a knee of racism on the necks of people of color.

"George Floyd's story has been the story of black folks," he said. "The reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed of being, is you kept your knee on our neck.

"We were smarter than the underfunded schools you put us in, but you had your knee on our neck. We could run corporations and not hustle in the street, but you had your knee on our neck. We had creative skills. We could do whatever anybody else could do, but we couldn't get your knee off our neck.

"What happened to Floyd happens every day in this country in education and health services and in every area of American life. It's time for us to stand up in George's name and say, 'Get your knee off our necks.'

"We don't want no favors," Sharpton continued. "Just get up off of us."

Advertisement
Advertisement

Sharpton referenced President Donald Trump, who held a Bible this week in front of a house of worship in the nation's capital.

"First of all, we cannot use Bibles as a prop," he said. "For those that have agendas that are not about justice, this family will not let you use George as a prop."

Solidarity outside

Outside the worship hall near Elliot Park, as the service broadcast on loudspeakers, a reverent crowd of hundreds did not chant or shout, but listened with solidarity.

A local chef had secured donations to grill free food. Other groups set up tables offering free groceries and dry goods.

Many spoke of the need to focus on a problem on which the nation cannot turn its back.

"This memorial service is a way to say goodbye and honor a life, but it also stands as a public marking point to say 'never again,' " said Matt Allen, 29, of St. Paul, a volunteer offering first aid and hand sanitizer. "It was important to me to be here and engage in that collective voice."

Advertisement

Maudeline St.-Jean and her sons Luke, 13, and Zachary, 15, came from Burnsville to show support for Floyd's family and the struggle.

"Things can change. There's hope that change can come," said St.-Jean, who is black. Though she wonders, "Will it be slow or fast?"

Though the boys were wary of attending because of the violence surrounding many of the protests, St.-Jean reassured them. "You don't have to be scared or worried. This is about showing support," she said.

Still, some in the crowd wondered if, in the coming weeks and months, the attention would fade, as it has with so many cases before.

"White people coming here, feeling sad — what happens when all those white people go back to their jobs in the suburbs?" said Jennifer Schnarr of Burnsville, who is white and was outside the memorial venue. "People need to get out there every day."

Minutes of silence

Near the end of the ceremony inside, the sanctuary grew quiet as Sharpton urged the crowd to stand for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — the amount of time Chauvin knelt on a handcuffed Floyd's neck as Floyd repeated "I can't breathe" before falling motionless.

Advertisement

As soft keyboard music filled the sanctuary, tears streamed down the mourners' faces. A man blurted out, "I can't breathe." Another man fell to his knees in grief. Family members hugged each other gently.

"That's a long time. There's no excuse," Sharpton said as the time expired, referencing the officers who helped restrain Floyd or stood nearby.

"They had enough time. They had enough time. Now what will we do with the time we have?"

Staff writers John Reinan, Mara Klecker, Rochelle Olson and Paul Walsh contributed to this report.

Mourners stood outside to hear a broadcast of Thursday's memorial service for George Floyd. Hundreds stood outside the service at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis.
Mourners stood outside to hear a broadcast of Thursday's memorial service for George Floyd. Hundreds stood outside the service at North Central University in downtown Minneapolis. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
George Floyd's casket was taken from a private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN. ] ELIZABETH FLORES • liz.flores@startribune.com
George Floyd's casket was taken from a private memorial service in the Frank J. Lindquist Sanctuary at North Central University, Thursday, June 4, 2020 in Minneapoli. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
George Floyd
George Floyd (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
The Rev. Al Sharpton spoke during a memorial service Thursday for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis.
The Rev. Al Sharpton spoke during a memorial service Thursday for George Floyd at North Central University in Minneapolis. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Kenneth St. Julien, of south Minneapolis, raised his fist in the air after listening to Thursday's private memorial service for George Floyd in the street. "I'm so glad this is waking America up," said St. Julien of the aftermath of Floyd's death. St. Julien says he was arrested outside Bobby and Steves last week downtown. The rioting has been hard to watch, but St. Julien says he's been more focused on the positives of the community coming together for cleanups and donations. "That is what Minn
Kenneth St. Julien, of Minneapolis, raised his fist in the air after listening to Thursday's memorial service for George Floyd. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Advertisement
about the writer

about the writer

Pam Louwagie

Reporter

Pam Louwagie is a regional reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She previously covered courts and legal affairs and was on the newspaper's investigative team. She now writes frequently about a variety of topics in northeast Minnesota and around the state and region.

See More
Advertisement
Advertisement