In Photos: Thousands gather in US cities to mark 5 years since George Floyd's murder
In Minneapolis, events centred around George Floyd Square—the intersection where former police officer Derek Chauvin fatally pinned Floyd to the ground for 9 1/2 minutes in 2020. Mourners laid flowers, lit candles, and left tributes at the site near Cup Foods, where Floyd was killed.
Across the street, activists served food at a former gas station that has served as a community space since 2020. A mock pig's head wearing a police cap was mounted in the street as a stark symbol of protest.
Events began Friday with music, a street festival, and a 'self-care fair,' and culminated in a Sunday evening candlelit vigil featuring gospel music, speeches, and a short march led by a brass band.
Many advocates expressed frustration with the pace of change despite promises from city officials to overhaul policing. The global protests that erupted after Floyd's death spurred hope for national police reform. While the Biden administration has sought increased federal oversight of abusive police departments, many now fear those efforts are being reversed.
Just days before the anniversary, the Trump administration moved to cancel federal settlements with Minneapolis and Louisville—agreements that aimed to restructure their police forces following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Trump has also declared an end to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the federal government, and is pushing state and local agencies to do the same using federal funding as leverage. Republican-led states have ramped up efforts to dismantle DEI policies in public institutions.
(With inputs from AP)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
7 minutes ago
- News18
Zelensky: Russia Years From Taking 100% Donbas, Germany Backs Ukraine Despite Nord Stream Arrest
Zelensky: Russia Years From Taking 100% Donbas, Germany Backs Ukraine Despite Nord Stream Arrest |4k Last Updated: Crux Videos A Ukrainian man has been arrested in Italy over the sabotage of the Nord Stream underwater gas pipelines from Russia to Europe in 2022. Germany said while it "consistently investigate crimes committed within our jurisdiction," it stands firmly with Ukraine "politically". Russian close ally Belarus is exploring how to equip its Polonez rocket launcher systems with nuclear warheads. Meanwhile, President Zelensky said he had told US President Trump that it would take Russia another four years to fully occupy the Donbas region. 00:00 -INTRO02:44 -BELARUS TO EQUIP ROCKET LAUNCHER WITH NUCLEAR WARHEADS04:53 -ZELENSKY UNVEILS 'MOST SUCCESSFUL MISSILE' n18oc_world n18oc_crux
Time of India
7 minutes ago
- Time of India
Big win for Trump, NY appeals court tosses $500M civil fraud penalty in stunning blow to AG James
Big win for Trump, NY appeals court tosses $500M civil fraud penalty in stunning blow to AG James Trump wins legal battle to keep National Guard in Los Angeles, court overrules Newsom Trump wins legal battle to keep National Guard in Los Angeles, court overrules Newsom Big win for Trump; US Judge dismisses Jan 6 Capitol riot case against President-elect Chief Justice Roberts rebukes Trump in rare statement after threats to impeach federal judge Trump's historic win leading to big judicial decisions; US judge pauses case against president-elect New indictment against Trump for US Capitol attack; effort to do 'more election interference', says JD Vance Trump statement at New York trial: Calls it political witch hunt | Raw Footage
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Trump threatens California schools with funding cuts over transgender policies, escalating culture war in America
President Donald Trump has sharpened his offensive against California, warning that school districts refusing to comply with his administration's transgender directives will be denied federal funding. The declaration, made through his social media platform, contained no further details, but its implications have already sent ripples through the education and political landscape. While federal dollars make up a fraction of overall school budgets compared to state and local contributions, they are critical for enrichment programmes, low-income student aid, and compliance with federal mandates. The prospect of withdrawing such funds transforms the policy clash into a direct threat to vulnerable school communities. From sports arenas to courtrooms The latest funding ultimatum builds on months of confrontation between Washington and Sacramento. In July, the Trump administration filed suit against the California Department of Education and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), challenging the state's policy that permits transgender girls to compete on girls' athletic teams. The Justice Department has argued that California's rules undermine Title IX protections, claiming they 'displace' cisgender girls from awards, podiums, and scholarship pathways. California, in turn, has defended its long-standing policy of allowing students to compete based on gender identity, describing the federal lawsuit as a 'cynical distraction' from pressing educational inequities. A culture war in motion This confrontation is not merely a localised dispute but part of a wider national culture war. More than 25 US states have passed laws banning transgender girls from female sports, according to US media reports, many of which are now tied up in litigation. Attorney General Pam Bondi, doubling down on Trump's stance, has warned other states that California's fate could soon be theirs. Civil rights advocates have reacted with alarm. Equality California, among other LGBTQ+ groups, has accused the administration of weaponising federal aid to target transgender youth. By contrast, conservative organisations frame the lawsuits as necessary to safeguard 'fairness' in women's athletics, a message that resonates with segments of the public uneasy about the changing definitions of gender and competition. Political calculations and nuanced voices Governor Gavin Newsom has positioned California as a bulwark against federal overreach, though even he has acknowledged, in a recent podcast, that questions of fairness remain unresolved. His candid reflections, criticised by both sides, illustrate the growing complexity of a debate that resists simplistic binaries. The political stakes are high: Republicans see in this issue a potent rallying cry for cultural conservatism, while Democrats risk fractures within their own coalition as they navigate between inclusivity and competitive equity. Students caught in the crossfire For students on the ground, particularly those vying for athletic scholarships, the dispute carries immediate consequences. Rules governing eligibility, participation, and recognition in competitive sports are now subject to unpredictable shifts driven by courtroom rulings and federal edicts. At stake is not merely the funding of schools or the structure of athletic competitions, but the broader question of how America defines fairness, inclusion, and civil rights in its classrooms and playing fields. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
