CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
US
Crime + Justice
Energy + Environment
Extreme Weather
Space + Science
More
Crime + Justice Energy + Environment Extreme Weather Space + Science
Audio Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Topics You Follow
  • Log Out
Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account
My Account
  • Settings
  • Topics You Follow
  • Log Out
Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Live TV Audio
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Crime + Justice
Energy + Environment
Extreme Weather
Space + Science
Follow CNN

  • US
    • Crime + Justice
    • Energy + Environment
    • Extreme Weather
    • Space + Science
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • Politics
    • SCOTUS
    • Congress
    • Facts First
    • 2020 Election
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Video
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Market Movers
    • Fear & Greed
    • World Markets
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Before the Bell
    • Nightcap
  • Opinion
    • Political Op-Eds
    • Social Commentary
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
    • Gadget
    • Foreseeable Future
    • Mission: Ahead
    • Upstarts
    • Work Transformed
    • Innovative Cities
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Pro Football
    • College Football
    • Basketball
    • Baseball
    • Soccer
    • Olympics
    • Hockey
  • Videos
    • Live TV
    • Digital Studios
    • CNN Films
    • HLN
    • TV Schedule
    • TV Shows A-Z
    • CNNVR
  • CNN Underscored
    • Electronics
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Health & Fitness
    • Home
    • Reviews
    • Deals
    • Money
    • Gifts
    • Travel
    • Outdoors
    • Pets
    • CNN Store
  • Coupons
  • More
    • Photos
    • Longform
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN
U.S.

How George Floyd’s death reignited a movement

Published 2:57 PM EDT, Fri May 21, 2021
Link Copied!
Protesters face off with police during a rally in Minneapolis on May 26. It was the day after George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.
How George Floyd's death reignited a movement
Protesters face off with police during a rally in Minneapolis on May 26. It was the day after George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.
Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune via AP

Published 2:57 PM EDT, Fri May 21, 2021

Anger poured through communities across the United States after video of George Floyd's last moments began circulating last May.

Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed in police custody in Minneapolis. A bystander's video showed police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes as Floyd pleaded for help, saying he couldn't breathe. The incident recalled the 2014 death of Eric Garner, who uttered the words "I can't breathe" while in an officer's chokehold in New York.

Floyd's death sparked widespread protests and rekindled the Black Lives Matter movement. It also elevated a national conversation about race, police brutality and social injustice. It illustrated in clear visuals what Black Americans have long said about the ways that the criminal justice system dehumanizes Black people.

The nationwide demonstrations were largely peaceful, but some cities saw instances of violence, with protesters clashing with police and stores being looted and burned. Protesters tore down statues of men who once championed or traded in slavery.

In April, 11 months after Floyd's death, Chauvin was found guilty of all the charges he faced: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. But for many, the search for justice is far from over.

People gather and pray around a makeshift memorial in Minneapolis on May 26. It was near the site where Floyd was taken into police custody.
People gather and pray around a makeshift memorial in Minneapolis on May 26. It was near the site where Floyd was taken into police custody.
Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune/AP
Crowds gather in the street at a protest in Minneapolis on May 26.
Crowds gather in the street at a protest in Minneapolis on May 26.
Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune/AP
Three women join hands in Minneapolis as they pray around a makeshift memorial for Floyd on May 26.
Three women join hands in Minneapolis as they pray around a makeshift memorial for Floyd on May 26.
Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune/AP
People gather outside a police precinct during demonstrations in Minneapolis on May 26.
People gather outside a police precinct during demonstrations in Minneapolis on May 26.
Richard Tsong-Taatarii/Star Tribune/AP
A car in Minneapolis is hit with tear gas on May 26.
A car in Minneapolis is hit with tear gas on May 26.
Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune/AP
Milk is poured on the face of a protester who had been exposed to tear gas in Minneapolis on May 26.
Milk is poured on the face of a protester who had been exposed to tear gas in Minneapolis on May 26.
Carlos Gonzalez/AP
Police try to disperse crowds in Minneapolis on May 26.
Police try to disperse crowds in Minneapolis on May 26.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Minneapolis protesters gather in the rain on May 26.
Minneapolis protesters gather in the rain on May 26.
Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty Images
People join hands across a freeway during a protest in Los Angeles on May 27.
People join hands across a freeway during a protest in Los Angeles on May 27.
Dania Maxwell/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images
Demonstrators in Minneapolis raise their hands during a standoff with police on May 27.
Demonstrators in Minneapolis raise their hands during a standoff with police on May 27.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Two police officers stand on the roof of a Minneapolis police precinct during demonstrations on May 27.
Two police officers stand on the roof of a Minneapolis police precinct during demonstrations on May 27.
Kerem Yucel/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters use shopping carts as a barricade as they confront police near a Minneapolis police precinct on May 27.
Protesters use shopping carts as a barricade as they confront police near a Minneapolis police precinct on May 27.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Demonstrators gather in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 27.
Demonstrators gather in Memphis, Tennessee, on May 27.
Joe Rondone/The Commercial Appeal/Imagn Content Services
A firework explodes as a fire burns inside an AutoZone store in Minneapolis on May 27.
A firework explodes as a fire burns inside an AutoZone store in Minneapolis on May 27.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
People look on as a construction site burns in Minneapolis on May 27.
People look on as a construction site burns in Minneapolis on May 27.
Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
People use garden hoses and buckets to save homes in Minneapolis after rioters set fire to a housing complex under construction on May 27.
People use garden hoses and buckets to save homes in Minneapolis after rioters set fire to a housing complex under construction on May 27.
Mark Vancleave/Star Tribune/Getty Images
Crews work to put out fires after an apartment building under construction was burned to the ground during protests in Minneapolis on May 28.
Crews work to put out fires after an apartment building under construction was burned to the ground during protests in Minneapolis on May 28.
Brian Peterson/Star Tribune/Getty Images
A woman yells at a sheriff's deputy during a protest in Minneapolis on May 28.
A woman yells at a sheriff's deputy during a protest in Minneapolis on May 28.
Mark Vancleave/Star Tribune via AP
Protesters speak to police officers during a demonstration in New York City on May 28.