Memorial events, marches and White House meeting to mark one year since George Floyd's death
Damarra Atkins pays her respects to George Floyd at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis on April 23.
It has been a year since George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, with global protests and supporters, activists and his family honoring Floyd with a series of celebrations of his life and march.
From Dallas to Washington, DC, to Minneapolis, Floyd's name will resonate throughout the nation in recognition of a man who has become an icon in the fight for racial equality and police reform.
Floyd's sister Bridget Floyd, her daughter Jianna Floyd, and Joanna's mother, Roxy Washington, will visit the White House at the invitation of President Joe Biden. Press Secretary Jane Saki said the family meeting would be private, so Biden could "have an actual conversation and keep it safe with the family."
Saki said, "He has genuine connections with him, and the courage and grace of this family and especially his daughter, Jianna Floyd, is truly associated with the president ...". "So, he looks forward to hearing their point of view and hearing what they have to say."
The family's visit will come as George Floyd Justice in the Police Act remains stalled in the Senate, despite Biden setting an initial goal of passing the law by Tuesday. Saki said on Friday that Biden wants Bill to be at his desk "as soon as possible." The bill includes provisions to establish a national registry of police malpractice, a ban on racial and religious profiling by law enforcement, and an overhaul of qualified immunity for police officers.
According to a family spokesman, other members of Floyd's family are expected to attend memorial events in Minneapolis on Tuesday. One of those events is the "Celebration of Life" which includes a day of games, food, inflatable attractions for youth and special performances by Grammy Award-winning artists and local talents.
BET will also pay tribute to Floyd, airing special programming that begins on Tuesday with "Bars and Ballads for George Floyd", featuring John Batiste, NAS, former UN Ambassador Andrew Young, singer and activist Anthony Hamilton and Color of Change president Rashad Robinson.
Several other events honoring Floyd have been held in recent times. Bridget Floyd spoke during a rally in Minneapolis on Sunday, where she vowed to become a voice for George Floyd and advocate change. She was joined by civil rights lawyers Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton.
Bridget Floyd told the crowd on Sunday, "It's been a long year. It's been a painful year." "It has been very frustrating for me and my family. Your life changes in the blink of an eye. I still don't know why."
The George Floyd Memorial Foundation is also asking supporters to honor the anniversary of Floyd's death by joining his mission to end systemic violence against Black Americans.
The Foundation has urged supporters to call their elected officials on Tuesday - particularly their senators - and demand that they pass the George Floyd Justice in Police Act; Register to vote; Help promote the work of the Foundation on social media and donate to the Foundation's programs that support the black community.