George Floyd’s Family Reaches $27 Million Settlement with City of Minneapolis
Minneapolis’ City Council has unanimously approved a $27 million settlement to the family of George Floyd. The settlement is tied to the civil lawsuit presented against the city of Minneapolis…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 29: Protesters gather in Manhattan’s Foley Square to protest the recent death of George Floyd, an African American man who killed after a police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck in Minneapolis on May 29, 2020 in New York City. Across country protests against his death have set off days and nights of rage as its the most recent in a series of deaths of African Americans by the police. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Minneapolis' City Council has unanimously approved a $27 million settlement to the family of George Floyd.
The settlement is tied to the civil lawsuit presented against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers involved with Floyd's passing.
Floyd passed away following an arrest on May 25, 2020. Video surfaced detailing white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes, as Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, repeatedly exclaimed, "I can't breathe."
"George Floyd’s horrific death, witnessed by millions of people around the world, unleashed a deep longing and undeniable demand for justice and change," attorney Ben Crump said in a statement.
Crump added, "That the largest pre-trial settlement in a wrongful death case ever would be for the life of a Black man sends a powerful message that Black lives do matter and police brutality against people of color must end."
Floyd's brother, Rodney Floyd, in a statement said the settlement was "a necessary step for all of us to begin to get some closure."
"George’s legacy for those who loved him will always be his spirit of optimism that things can get better, and we hope this agreement does just that -- that it makes things a little better in Minneapolis and holds up a light for communities around the country," Rodney Floyd added.
Chauvin's trial is currently in progress.
