Kinsey reflects on one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, reminds lawmakers to continue to fight for justice
Rep. Stephen Kinsey May 26, 2021 | 5:41 PM
HARRISBURG, May 26 – A day after the one-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, state Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., released the following statement:
“Yesterday marked the one-year anniversary of the needless and horrific public execution of George Floyd by a police officer. Our nation and the world watched those heart wrenching 8 minutes and 49 seconds of a man, a father, a brother revert to basic childhood innocence and fearfully cry out for his deceased mother as he gasped for air due to being slowly asphyxiated to death by a knee to the neck. It was those cries that spurred countless global protests across the globe.
“I also want to set the record straight that Mr. Floyd was not a martyr or a hero. He did not sacrifice his life for justice or anything grand, and that is perfectly fine. Like many of us, he was just a person existing in this world. This is what makes his murder more traumatic, especially to those of us who look like him.
“This one-year anniversary was time of reflection on George Floyd’s life and our continued strides toward justice. We expressed sorrow in those unjustly taken from us, we spoke their names, but we also had glimmers of triumph. We once again relished in that feeling of finally being visible and respected when Mr. Floyd’s murderer was finally held accountable.
“To those on the right side of this fight for justice, especially my fellow lawmakers who have a sworn duty to uphold justice, I want to remind all of you that we cannot let our efforts lose momentum on May 26. In the same vein, it is an absolute disservice to reignite our efforts only when another life is stolen. We can only stop when progress has been achieved.
“Yesterday, today, and every day, until justice prevails, we must elevate Mr. Floyd, along with the countless others who became victims of police violence for having the audacity of simply existing.”