George Floyd …The Pork Story That Changed The World …

When a Minneapolis police officer pushed his knee into the neck of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, two years ago, it was the start of something nobody didn’t see coming.  Floyd’s killing caused worldwide outrage and prompted a shift in the way the United States polices itself.

When Floyd’s passing is commemorated for the second time, we wonder how the nation will react. People marched and lit lights all around the country a year ago, just as they had done the year of his passing.  Hopefully, this will be the case again this year.

Listed below is a chronology of the events that changed the world.

After 8 p.m. on May 25, 2020, Minneapolis police receive a complaint concerning a probable counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store. They arrive at the location and see a black man, George Floyd, who they put face down on the ground after a struggle. Derek Chauvin, a Minneapolis police officer, kneels on Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes. Floyd repeatedly says, “I can’t breathe,” in the footage filmed by a bystander. At a hospital, shortly after that he was proclaimed dead.

Floyd died on May 26th, according to a police statement. According to the statement, he seemed to be in medical distress and had violently resisted arrest. Minutes later, the bystander video is posted online after which the police release another statement saying the FBI will help in investigating the matter. In addition to Chauvin, three additional officers have been fired: Thomas Lane, J Kueng, and Tou Thao. Protests have begun.

Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, filed a criminal complaint against Chauvin on May 27. Unrest erupted in Minneapolis and extended to other cities as a result of anti-government protests in Minneapolis.

The Minnesota National Guard is activated on May 28 by Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota. Protesters seize control of the 3rd Precinct station and burn it ablaze.

Second-degree murder and manslaughter charges are filed against Chauvin on May 29. Afterwards, President Trump tweeted about “thugs” at the Minneapolis rallies and warned: “When the looting begins, the shooting begins.” Violence erupts once more during protests, this time in Minneapolis and other locales.

As some of the protests escalate into violence on May 30, Trump tries to take back his comments.

As on May 31, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will head the investigation into Floyd’s death, according to a statement from Governor Mark Walz.

Floyd’s heart stopped as cops restrained and crushed his neck, according to the county medical examiner’s report, which was released on June 1. Other major conditions” included fentanyl and methamphetamine usage, the report stated.

The Minneapolis Police Department is the subject of a civil rights investigation beginning on June 2nd, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

On June 3, Ellison charges Chauvin with second-degree murder, as well as three other policemen.

Floyd’s funeral takes place on June 4th in Minneapolis.

The use of chokeholds by police in Minneapolis has been outlawed as of June 5. New policies will be implemented in the following months, including a revamping of the police department’s “use of force” guidelines and procedures.

On June 6, tens of thousands of people peacefully demonstrate across the country to call for police reform. Floyd’s funeral will be conducted in Raeford, NC, where he was born.

On June 7, the Minneapolis City Council voted overwhelmingly to abolish the city’s police force. A nationwide debate on police reform is sparked as a result of the blocked initiative.

Thousands gather in Houston, where Floyd grew up, on June 8 to remember him.

Death of Floyd on June 9th.

For police accountability, Floyd’s brother testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee on June 10.

Trump signed an executive order on June 16 to improve police tactics and establish a database to track officers who use excessive force.

Floyd’s family has filed a lawsuit against Minneapolis and four former police officers involved in the case on July 15, 2014.

July 21: The Minnesota Legislature passed a wide range of police accountability measures, including restrictions on neck restraints, chokeholds, and so-called “warrior-style” training.

After posting a $1 million bond, Chauvin is finally allowed to leave state jail on October 7th. As a result, there are more demonstrations.

Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill rejects defense petitions to postpone the officer’s trials on November 5, 2017.

On January 12, 2021, Cahill announced that Chauvin will be tried as an individual in the absence of a jury due to space constraints. Prosecutions against the other cops begin in August.

According to city officials, after Chauvin’s trial, traffic will be allowed back into George Floyd Square, the intersection that has been closed off since Floyd’s death.

The first potential jurors in Chauvin’s trial were questioned on March 9.

The Floyd family has agreed to a $27 million settlement with the city of Minneapolis.

The judge refuses to postpone or reschedule the trial because of worries that a skewed jury pool will result.

On March 23, a jury of 12 regular members and three alternates was selected.

Inaugural remarks are made on March 29.

Following the shooting death of Daunte Wright, a young African American man, in Brooklyn Center, a suburb of Minneapolis, on April 11, a series of protests ensued.

Judge declines to sequester Chauvin jury due to Wright shooting, on April 12.

Testimony concludes on April 15th.

On April 20, Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

And then the World began to change;

isthatporks take; since Trayvon Martin, there has been a rise in police-involved shootings with black people across the country. Even though there have been questionable situations since, the George Floyd situation felt like accountability for one’s actions were starting to be acknowledged. For the ones who live life like “the glass is half full,” it felt good that there was a slim changing of the guard. Time will tell if this change is permanent, gains wings, and calibrates other officers who commit similiar acts. Sometimes a Judge’s responsibility to protect the public is to understand that someone has to be made an example of. Sometimes legislation needs a fresh new set of laws and case law. Sometimes people just need to act right. No, not sometimes. For an adult, the acting right should be all the time. Easier said than done.

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