A memorial service is currently underway in Minneapolis, Minnesota for George Floyd, 10 days after the Black man was brutally murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The death has ignited a global tsunami of outrage and demonstrations.
The service, scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CST/ 2 p.m. EST, will be held at North Central University’s sanctuary in downtown Minneapolis and Rev. Al Sharpton is expected to give the eulogy, NBC reports.
Other guests include former Democratic Presidential candidate and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, comedian Kevin Hart and the mother of Ahmaud Arbury, whose 25-year-old son was pursued by armed white residents of a coastal South Georgia neighborhood and gunned down in the streets.
ALSO READ: A look back at the last two days of protest (Gallery)
Floyd died on Memorial Day after police officer Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly 9-minutes after he was arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store. Floyd was unconscious for 3 minutes and an independent coroner has ruled his death a homicide.
The tragedy has spread like a California wildfire around the world sparking demonstrators to demand accountability and reforms in the police department.
Chauvin, originally charged with third-degree murder, which is killing without intent, saw those charges upgraded to second-degree murder Wednesday and the three other cops – Alexander Kueng, Tou Thao and Thomas Lane are also in custody.
SOURCE: NBC News
