Across the United States, Americans gathered to remember George Floyd on the fifth anniversary of his death, which became a global symbol in the fight against racism and police brutality.
Special memorials took place in Minneapolis, where Floyd was killed by former police officer Derek Chauvin, and in Houston, Floyd’s hometown, where his family gathered near his gravesite for a service led by civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton.
Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, sparked widespread protests and calls for systemic change in law enforcement. In the aftermath, many hailed it as a national reckoning with racism, prompting numerous cities to enact reforms and reexamine police practices. However, some of those reforms now appear to be under threat, as former President Donald Trump and others push back against changes, particularly in Minneapolis, where much of the original activism began.
Thousands of people turned out for commemorative events, including civil rights advocates and police reform supporters. In Minneapolis, the annual Rise and Remember Festival featured a morning church service and an evening gospel concert at George Floyd Square—the site of Floyd’s murder and now a memorial space. The festival served as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in America.
Angela Harrelson, Floyd’s aunt and co-chair of the Rise and Remember nonprofit, emphasized the importance of continuing the movement. “Now is the time for the people to rise up and continue the good work we started,” she stated, encouraging activists and the public not to lose momentum in the fight for meaningful change despite political setbacks.
