Reactions to the murder of George Floyd

Floyd's cousin, Tera Brown, said police "were supposed to be there to serve and to protect and I didn't see a single one of them lift a finger to do anything to help while he was begging for his life".

"[1] Floyd's brother, Philonese, called for peace and said, "Everybody has a lot of pain right now, that's why this is happening, I'm tired of seeing black people dying.

[6] Minneapolis city councillor Andrea Jenkins, who represented Ward 8, where Floyd was murdered, was quoted as saying: "My heart is breaking for the tragic loss of life last night near 38th and Chicago.

[12] U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (whose district includes Minneapolis) called for a federal investigation and said: "It is sickening to watch this black man be killed while helplessly begging for help.

"[14][15] However, as a former Hennepin County attorney, she was criticized for declining to press criminal charges against police during her eight years in that office, including against Chauvin; some called for her resignation from the Senate.

[22][23] On June 12 the council unanimously adopted a resolution to begin a year-long project to develop "strategies for building [a] new model for cultivating community safety".

[28] Despite previous pledges by city council members to "end" the Minneapolis Police Department, Star Tribune reporter Liz Navratil afterwards revealed that the proposed amendment, which allows the continuation of "licensed officers,"[28] would not fulfill this objective if approved by voters, but would only rename the Minneapolis Police Department and change its structure.

[32] On May 29, President Trump denounced rioting, violence and looting occurring during nationwide protests, tweeting: "These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let that happen.

"[33] On June 1, in response to continued protests, President Trump threatened to deploy the military by invoking the Insurrection Act of 1807.

[37] Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had the words BLACK LIVES MATTER painted on a street immediately in front of the White House.

"[57] Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick Yoes said authorities must ensure justice is served in Floyd's murder, "whatever the consequences".

The MCCA, led by Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo, said: "The death of Mr. Floyd is deeply disturbing and should be of concern to all Americans.

Numerous experts on law enforcement technique and training severely criticized the use of the choke hold maneuver known as a "neck restraint" in general, and in Floyd's case in particular.

[71] Soon after Floyd's murder, a number of institutions and organizations announced that they would be limiting or cutting ties with the Minneapolis Police Department, and no longer hiring its officers for event security.

[76][77][78] National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell issued an apology "for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.

[80] The Boy Scouts of America condemned the murders of Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, and the shooting of Breonna Taylor; made a new Diversity/Inclusion merit badge a requirement for the rank of Eagle Scout; and promised a "review of property names, events and insignia ... to build on and enhance the organization's nearly 30-year ban on use of the Confederate flag".

[81][82] In December 2020, PEN America gave the PEN/Benenson Courage Award to Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who filmed Floyd's restraint on her cell phone.

[85] The Wikimedia Foundation made a blog post announcing their support for racial justice and condemned the murder of Floyd and the killings of Taylor, Arbery and David McAtee.

[86] Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's, Cream of Wheat, Mrs. Butterworth, Eskimo Pie, Redskins, Cleveland Indians, and Chicos announced that they will retire their brand images or names based on racial stereotypes.

[95] The NFTs consist of cartoon drawings of George Floyd with varied appearances, such as that of a slave, a monkey or dressed as Kyle Rittenhouse.

[130] On several occasions before Chauvin's trial, conservative political commentators Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens said that Floyd had died of drug-related complications or an overdose.