Celebs and political figures took to social media to pay their respects and reflect on the anniversary of George Floyd's death.
Celebrities and political figures are honoring George Floyd on the one-year anniversary of his death.
It's been one year since Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after former police officer Derek Chauvin held him down by the neck with his knee for more than nine minutes. His death marked the beginning of a nationwide movement and social unrest. Celebrities began speaking out about the Black Lives Matter movement and showing their support in any way that they could.
In April, Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His sentence will be announced this June. Additionally, the three other former officers, Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng, face charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter. They will stand trial in March 2022.
Michelle Obama posted video of Floyd's daughter, Gianna, expressing how her father changed the world.
"It’s been a year since those horrifying 9 minutes and 29 seconds stole George Floyd’s life and shook up so many of us. And it’s easy, after everything that’s happened, to focus primarily on the pain and the grief, the past traumas that came rushing back, the protests, the difficulty of reliving it all during a trial. It’s been a lot—a heavy, exhausting year in so, so many ways," the former first lady began. "But today, I can’t help but think of this clip of George’s daughter, Gianna. This was not just a national tragedy, but a human one. This little girl lost her father. And every time I watch this video, I see someone who loved her dad, who’s been forced to grow up a lot faster, and who probably had a lot of moments this past year that weren’t quite as joyful as this one."
Kerry Washington also shared how people can continue to honor Floyd and how the issue of social injustice is a continued effort.
"Black Lives have never NOT mattered. I pray for a world where we all matter to each other all the time and forever more. Can’t stop, wont stop. Justice is not a fad," she wrote in part. "If you are new to this, happy one year awakening. Stay in the fight. If you are not new to this, sending love. Today and always."
"A year ago today we didn’t know his name, but now it’s forever etched in our consciousness: George Floyd," Oprah Winfrey added, alongside a gorgeous drawing.
The Floyd family also met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday to mark the anniversary, amid continued congressional negotiations over police reform legislation.
See more tributes from Barack Obama, Uzo Aduba and more, below.
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