OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Newark New Jersey erected a 700 lb. statue of George Floyd, according to The Daily Wire.
“Hopefully it inspires those who walk by to be more active, take part in activism,” Baraka stated.
“Mr. Floyd’s death elevated the Black Lives Matter movement, which has resulted in an international response, including protests, police reform measures, and the removal of Confederate statues from public parks and racist names from organizations.”
“The statue was commissioned by actor and filmmaker Leon Pickney and it was sculpted by artist Stanley Watts.”
“The artwork was donated to the city and will be on display for at least a year in collaboration with the Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs.”
“The fact that he has been held up as a martyr sickens me. George Floyd was not a good person, I don’t care who wants to spin that.”
“I don’t care how CNN wants to make you think he changed his life around,” Owens stated.
“He was just after his sixth or fifth stint in prison.”
The Wall Street Journal said, “The judge explained that third-degree murder requires proof Mr. Chauvin caused Mr. Floyd’s death by committing an eminently dangerous act that was highly likely to cause death and showed a reckless disregard for human life. To convict Mr. Chauvin of second-degree manslaughter, the jurors would need to conclude that culpable negligence and reckless actions by Mr. Chauvin caused Mr. Floyd’s death.”
From The Daily Wire:
On May 25, Chauvin and three other officers arrested and detained Floyd after he allegedly gave counterfeit money at a convenience store. Following a struggle to get Floyd into the back of a police cruiser, viral video shows that Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck and back for nearly nine minutes to detain Floyd while awaiting paramedics.
Chauvin’s attorney Eric Nelson argued during the trial that Floyd’s drug use and bad heart were crucial factors in his death, and that Chauvin used reasonable force through an authorized prone hold. The Hennepin County medical examiner revealed that Floyd’s autopsy showed the deceased had potentially lethal levels of drugs in his system.
Chauvin’s attorney plans to appeal the verdict.
