It’s been a little under a year since George Floyd was cruelly murdered, but justice was finally served on April 20, 2021. Former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, was convicted on all charges in the murder of George Floyd. Today, we have created a timeline of the events that led to Chauvin’s conviction.
How It All Started
On May 25, 2020, 46-year-old George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He had entered a convenience store and bought a pack of cigarettes with a $20 bill. An employee proceeded to call 911 after checking the bill, stating that he believed it to be counterfeit. Minutes later, police officers arrived outside of the store and confronted Floyd. The four officers forced Floyd out of his car and eventually Chauvin pinned Floyd to the ground by kneeling on his neck. He did this for over 9 minutes despite Floyd’s cries of pain.
17-year-old Darnella Fraizer (now 18 years old) witnessed and recorded the incident. In the devastating and graphic video, Floyd is heard repeatedly shouting, “I can’t breathe!” After several minutes, Floyd fell unconscious. He was eventually sent to Hennepin County Medical Center but he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
This footage sparked outrage across Minneapolis and eventually across the nation. The Black Lives Matter movement was reignited like never before, and calls for police reform and even abolishment have been made ever since.
Here’s a look back on what people were saying on social media at the time.
SAY HIS NAME. GEORGE FLOYD. HE WAS AN INNOCENT MAN, AND HE WAS MURDERED. HE COULDN’T BREATHE, AND HE BEGGED FOR HIS LIFE. THEY DIDN’T CARE. WE DEMAND JUSTICE. #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/5q1zYdTGB7
— 🐌🎉 (@razzlerocks) May 27, 2020
“My daughter is 8. I’m explaining to her about George Floyd. When my son was 6, i was explaining Trayvon Martin. When i was 12, my mom was explaining Rodney King. When she was 6, her mom was explaining Emmitt Till.
It’s tiring being black in America.”
— IG: BDahtTV (@BDAHT) June 4, 2020
I can’t even begin to describe the emotions I felt walking up to the scene where George Floyd took his last breath. There needs to be changes and they need to be made NOW. How many more innocent black people have to die at the hands of the ones who are suppose to “protect” them?? pic.twitter.com/NBL7bUBBv5
— Britt West (@brittanyw_44) May 30, 2020
Police need to be convicted for the murder of George Floyd. How many black lives need to be lost for us to understand the gravity of what’s going on? I may never know, understand or experience what people of color go through but I’m w/ you all. I see you. I’m here for the fight.
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 26, 2020
The Aftermath of Floyd’s Death
The days following the murder of George Floyd were filled with chaos and outrage as the world reacted to the horrific news. The streets of Minneapolis quickly became flooded with protestors the day after the murder as the video reached the world.
Scenes from the protest where #GeorgeFloyd died after being detained my Minneapolis Police. pic.twitter.com/CjdgRMtE5u
— s. gross (@ShariStrib) May 26, 2020
It’s nice to see that thousands of people in Minneapolis were protesting the murder of George Floyd. Also glad Minneapolis fired all four cops who were at the scene. #ICantBreathe #GeorgeFloyd #MinneapolisPolice #NoJusticeNoPeace pic.twitter.com/LYjpy5KXwf
— 𝔸𝕝𝕪𝕤𝕤𝕒 𝔸𝕟𝕟 (@FishViz) May 26, 2020
After reports of fires and vandalism in the city, the National Guard was sent to Minneapolis. Protestors came together in cities across the United States soon thereafter, showing support for lives, such as George Floyd, lost to police brutality as well as the Black Lives Matter movement.
Police car on fire in #MiamiProtest #GeorgeFloyd
pic.twitter.com/ptMruzzwlg
— Martin Vassolo (@martindvassolo) May 30, 2020
On May 29, 2020, former Minneapolis Police Officer, Derek Chauvin was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, combining for a maximum sentence of 35 years. A second-degree murder charge would soon be added to Cahuvin’s charges on June 3, 2020. That same day, the three other officers involved in the scene, Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao, were charged with aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd.
Wednesday, October 7, 2020, Chauvin was released after posting bond with conditions. These conditions stated that Chauvin should have no contact with Floyd’s family, surrender all firearms, and not leave the state.
The fight for justice against police brutality and racism continued throughout the year in protests and demonstrations held across the country as the trial of the officer who killed George Floyd continued.
In the trial of Derek Chauvin, “the jury of six white people and six Black or multiracial ones came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days.”
Chauvin’s Conviction
Just shy of the one year anniversary, the murder of George Floyd finally reached its verdict. Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges; second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
The initial upset around the wrongful death of a black man has never lost traction. Not after the press release, not after his murderer was bonded out and certainly not after worldwide protests. Today we witness yet again how Floyd’s death shook the very foundation of justice not served. How it cast innumerable eyes on a system that would see this incident swept under the rug.
Despite it all, the people prevailed in getting justice. Justice for his family as well as the beginnings of progress for all those affected by the same brutality. People celebrated in the streets as the verdict reached the public.
This murder, this drawn out injustice has been weighing on the hearts of millions. Thousands of people that showed up to protest it and a thousand more to celebrate when the gavel finally struck down.
Social media was an essential part in organizing protests and keeping others safe. It was a line of defense and networking to gather evidence, prevent more violence and create a community that would not stand for a needless murder.
Three other police officers were involved in Floyd’s murder, and they will be tried this summer.
We will continue updating on this topic in future articles and social media, so look out for those soon.
