Minneapolis City Council on Friday approved a $ 27 million civil settlement with the family of George Floyd over the death of the Blackman last year in police custody. The city council voted 13-0 to approve the settlement, which should use $ 500,000 to benefit the George Floyd Memorial site at 38 and Chicago.
Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes is on trial on charges of murder and manslaughter. Three other former officers involved in the fatal arrest are charged with providing assistance and will be tried jointly in August. The family case was filed against the city on July 15, alleging the four former officers violated Floyd’s rights when they restrained him, CBS Minnesota reported.
‘Mr. Floyd died because the weight of the entire Minneapolis police station was on his neck, ‘said attorney Ben Crump, who represents the family, when the case was filed.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Floyd’s death caused a “century-in-the-word settlement over racial justice that hit Minneapolis like a thunderstorm” and resonated around the world. Frey said the settlement reflects a commitment to promote racial justice and thanks Floyd’s family for partnering with the city in reform measures.
Floyd’s family said Friday they were grateful for the settlement, but said no amount of money could cure the pain of his loss.
“Even though my brother is not here, he is here in my heart,” said Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd. “Because if I could get him back, I’d give it all back.”
Floyd said his brother started a movement and thanked supporters, especially those who took to the streets to protest amid a pandemic.
“You put your lives on the line – I can do nothing to compensate you for that because you showed who you are,” said Philonise Floyd.
Crump called the settlement “historic” and thanked the city leaders, whom he called “progressive and deeply moral”. Crump said the settlement sends a message that the unjustified killings of black people should not be described as ‘trivial, unimportant or unworthy consequences’.
‘The family of George Floyd and our legal team are very grateful to Mayor Frey and the City Council for not only saying that you care about George Floyd, but that they show that you care about George Floyd – not just saying that black lives do not matter, but around the world that black lives matter, ”Crump said.
Crump noted that Saturday is a gloomy anniversary – one year since the fatal police shooting Breonna Taylor in Louisville during a police attack. Floyd and Taylor will be ‘forever connected in history as two people taken away from us by the people they were supposed to protect, serve them,’ Crump said.
Crump said Floyd’s family was in contact with Tamika Palmer, Taylor’s mother.
Crump also argued that protesters should remain peaceful while the Chauvin trial continues with the selection of the jury.
In a statement, Floyd’s sister, Bridgett Floyd, who did not attend, said: ‘I am glad that this part of our tragic journey to my brother George’s trial has been resolved.’
“Our family suffered an irreplaceable loss on May 25 when George’s life was meaninglessly taken by a Minneapolis police officer,” Bridgett Floyd said. “While we will never get our beloved George back, we will continue unabated to make this world a better and safer place for all.”
The case also said the city is fueling a culture of excessive violence and racism within the police department. Lawyers for Floyd’s family members said Friday they are encouraged that the police department in Minneapolis has undergone. substantial reforms, but will insist on more change.
Attorney Antonio Romanucci said the family hopes more reforms will be implemented at the police department, including a panel to review all violent incidents, a quality assurance unit to ensure reforms are adhered to, and an early intervention system that on analytics will identify problem officers. He said the settlement should be a “wake-up call” for police departments across the country to quickly embark on reforms to prevent unnecessary deaths and serious injuries.
“This case has been determined as a watershed event for civil rights in America and around the world,” Romanucci said. “I can tell you … it does feel like a turning point for police reform, but only because conscious choices have been made to do so.”