George Floyd's fifth anniversary of death: a life with dreams, struggle and hope before the tragedy

On Sunday, the Americans were the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's death, a moment that once lit a worldwide settlement of breed and police work. Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed on May 25, 2020 when the police officer of White Minneapolis, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for over nine minutes. The graphic film material of the arrest, which was recorded by spectators, triggered a historical wave of protest at home and abroad during the Covid 19 pandemic.

George Perry Floyd Jr., whose last moments under the knee of a police officer in Minneapolis were captured in a video that shaken the world was many things before it became a global symbol of racial justice and police reform. He was a father, a mentor, a former athlete and a man who – imperfect and seriously – tried to overcome his past and redesign his future.

A modest start in Houston

Floyd was born in North Carolina in 1973 and at the age of two with his mother, Larcenia “Cissy” Floyd, a single parent who is looking for better opportunities. They settled in Cuney Homes, a public housing project in the heart of the third stop of Houston – a community with deep black roots and persistent poverty.

Known as “Big Floyd” for his highly towering 6-foot 7 frame, he grew up in the middle of the challenges, but wore dreams that were far larger than its surroundings. As a child, he once wrote that he wanted to become a judge at the Supreme Court. Later he appeared as a star athlete at the Jack Yates High School, played at a soccer championship in Texas and received a partial scholarship for basketball at the South Florida State College.

Talent, anger and transformation

Floyd's early adulthood was characterized by instability. After he had stoves between the colleges, he returned to Houston and fought to find steady work. Between 1997 and 2005 he was arrested several times for drug and theft. In 2009 he owed him guilty to an armed robbery and served in prison for almost five years.

But his publication in 2013 was a turning point. Floyd got involved with pastors and Christian rap artists and worked with ministries in the Cuney Homes community to help others made from the mistakes he had made. He helped the organization of community events, to carry out food and baptized new believers in provisional tubs on basketball spots in the neighborhood.

“He was like a superhero,” said Cal Wayne, a local rapper and a friend from childhood. “He always had time for us.”

A new chapter in Minneapolis

In search of a new beginning, Floyd moved to Minneapolis through a church program in 2014 to help men rebuild their lives. There he worked security jobs, first in the Harbor Light Center of the Salvation Army and later in a popular nightclub. Friends described him as kind -hearted, respectful and deeply protected by others.

Even after moving, Floyd remained bound to Houston. He often visited, returned to community events and took care of the people who helped him. At the time of his death, he was unemployed due to the Covid 19 pandemic and hoped to return home this summer.

May 25, 2020

At the Memorial Day 2020, a floyd shop employed accused a fake 20 dollar bill, which led to a police encounter that ended with a tragedy. The video of the officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's throat for over nine minutes, triggered global outrage, ignited mass protests and demanded in all 50 US states and also the racial justice.

Monument and reflection on George Floyd Square

This weekend, mourners gathered at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis – the place where Floyd got his last breath. Dozens visited the now iconic intersection with protest art and flowers. A wall teaching “You have changed the world, George” remains a central piece of the monument.

The family pushes away the further fight

At a memorial event, the Family members of Floyd asked the Americans not to be discouraged by the current political climate.

“We don't need a manager to say that Black Lives is important,” said his aunt Angela Harrelson and wore a T-shirt with Floyd's face. “We cannot allow a setback to be a holdback for the great comeback. Donald Trump just didn't get the memo.”

Cousin Paris Stevens added: “Nobody can silence us anymore.”

This year's memory topic – “The People Have Overing” – was inspired by a visit to the grandson Nkosi Mandela by Nelson Mandela, said Harrelson. It reflects for five years of persistent activism.