Exercise
Tap all the highlighted words in the transcript below to see their definition. ⇩Do you know what has happened since George Floyd, an unarmed black man, was killed by police last month?
The short answer: A lot.
Here are some of the more positive events that have taken place since May 25.
Worldwide Protests
Protests and riots started the day after George Floyd was killed. They began in the U.S. but quickly spread around the world.
Charges
Derek Chauvin, an officer involved in the killing of George Floyd, was arrested on May 29. He’s been charged with second-degree manslaughter and murder.
On June 3 three former Minneapolis police officers who were connected to George Floyd’s death were charged with aiding and abetting.
Statues
On June 4 the governor of Virginia ordered that a statue of Robert E. Lee be taken down (Lee was against equal rights for African Americans). The statue is currently still standing; however, it is now covered in graffiti.
Three days later in Bristol, England, a statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader, was thrown into the ocean by protesters.
Rising support
In Washington, D.C. on June 5, “BLACK LIVES MATTER” was painted on a street near the White House. The painting, which is 11 metres high, was ordered by the mayor of D.C.
That same day, the NFL said that they were wrong for opposing players’ peaceful protests against racism and police brutality (such as kneeling during the national anthem).
On June 10, NASCAR banned the confederate flag, which is a symbol of racism, from all of its facilities.
Police reform
On June 12, the city council in Minneapolis voted to disband the police department and replace it with a community public safety system.
Colorado removed “qualified immunity” from its police force on June 19. Qualified immunity protects police officers from being punished by the law in some cases.
Bretty Hankinson
Police officer Brett Hankison was fired on June 23. He was involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was killed by police in her own home.
Black lives matter
Here are some things you can do to help the black community in the fight for social justice:
- Share information (from black sources) on social media
- Donate to an organization that needs funding
- Sign a petition
- Support black businesses
Whatever you do, don’t stay silent!
Development Racial Movement Comprehension
Thank you very much, Andrea. This article means a lot to me because I hate racism.
I truly hope that Floyd’s family will read this article and share it with the black people community as well.
I can tell that your heart truly went out to Floyd’s and Taylor’s families.
Thank you ABA for supporting black people and for spreading the love all over the world by letting your teachers write articles like this one.
You made me cry, even if I’m not black. 💜
Love you 💜
Hi Rossella! I’m glad that this article struck a chord with you and that you will keep fighting for equality. Thank you.
Thank you for this article. Still too much violence on this topic.
We are in 2020 and we would be able to think these things have part of past and unfortunately no. It’s very sad, when I see like everything goes fast, in all aeras and that we are still there about that.
Some people have difficult to open their mind and the result is terrify.
I’m glad, because today black people aren’t alone, and white people pay for their crimes. Better late than never.
Wathever the colour, a life stays a life and it has the same value.
There is, sadly, still too much violence in the world. We need to work together to end violence and injustice.
Thanks for these informations. Racism has no place to be still alive today.
Well said, Mario.
Thanks Andrea, great article. We need to fight for all life, every life is very important. I like it read about that organizations, because is very important to help all people no matter the colors.
Hi Fran, I am glad you found the article useful and helpful. We need to fight for equality.
Thanks for sharing this dear Andrea, it means a lot in our daily activity
I am so happy you liked it 🙂