Five Years After Floyd’s Fatality


Five years ago today, a tragedy happened in Minneapolis that impacted the world. A black man named George Floyd died while being in police custody. He was arrested for passing a counterfeit $20 bill at a convenience store. A video from a bystander’s cellphone that went viral showed officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for several minutes while he complained, “I can’t breathe.” Like most people, I first assumed Chauvin caused Floyd’s death. Later, I realized this was an example of circumstantial evidence. 


The 2023 documentary “The Fall of Minneapolis” revealed details largely withheld from the general public. George Floyd had multiple drugs in his system. Police body camera videos showed him resisting arrest and refusing to be placed in the back of a squad car while handcuffed. That’s why Floyd needed to be restrained. He uttered “I can’t breathe” even before Chauvin’s knee was on his neck. I believe drugs plus preexisting health conditions killed Floyd. The four arresting officers weren’t abusive like the ones who beat up Rodney King in 1991. An ambulance was called by Officer Thomas Lane 36 seconds after Floyd was pinned to the ground.


I happened to fly out of Minneapolis two days before this incident. I met my friend Jim in Denver to join him on a road trip from there to his house. Not long after we arrived in Virginia, the media was flooded with reports of violence and looting in the Twin Cities and other places in response to George Floyd’s death.


On June 13, 2020, I returned to Minneapolis with another missionary. We visited the spot of Floyd’s death, which had become a memorial. It was eerie seeing other familiar sites spray painted, burned down, and boarded up including the 3rd Precinct police station. When I first moved there in 1985, I lived a few blocks from the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue (now known as George Floyd Square). I also attended a technical school on Lake Street, blocks away from where the police station once stood.


While it’s unfortunate what happened to George Floyd, I find it more disturbing to see him regarded as a martyr. Two years ago, while riding a bus in south Minneapolis, I noticed a church with a banner honoring Floyd, even featuring a halo drawn above his head. I’ve also encountered similar artwork of Daunte Wright, a young black man who was accidentally killed by Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop (which happened during Chauvin’s trial a few miles away). Both Floyd and Wright had extensive criminal records.


There have been rumors that President Trump might issue a pardon for Derek Chauvin. Personally, I would support this move (although it would not absolve state charges). While it would definitely lead to increased protests from Black Lives Matter activists, Chauvin has already endured enough suffering. On November 24, 2023, he was stabbed 22 times by a fellow prisoner. Kim Potter, on the other hand, was released after serving 16 months in prison for a mistake that cost her an otherwise honorable career in law enforcement. Despite receiving some citizen complaints, Chauvin received commendation medals during his 19 years of police service.


Three other officers involved with George Floyd’s arrest were also sentenced to prison. Lane and J. Alexander Kueng (who is black) have since been released. Tou Thao (a Hmong-American) is scheduled to be out in November. At his sentencing hearing, Thao spoke about his growth as a Christian during his time behind bars but denied any responsibility for Floyd’s death. He stated, “I did not commit these crimes…My conscience is clear. I will not be a Judas nor join a mob in self-preservation or betray my God.”


Sometimes human justice isn’t fair. Thankfully, we have a God who will bring restoration to those who trust in Him. 


“But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong. This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord.” - Isaiah 54:17 (AMP)


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