George Floyd’s Death-Homicide
“The cause of death in my opinion is asphyxia, due to compression to the neck – which can interfere with oxygen going to the brain – and compression to the back, which interferes with breathing-Dr Michael Baden,( former New York City medical examiner)
Onome Osekhabamen
The African-American man, George Floyd whose death has sparked civil unrest, died from lack of oxygen(asphyxia), a private post-mortem examination found.He died due to compression on his neck and back by Minneapolis police officers, medical examiners hired by the Floyd family said. This is different from an earlier finding from an official preliminary examination carried out by the county medical examiner.It did not find evidence of “traumatic asphyxia or strangulation”.The official examination also said underlying health conditions played a role in Mr Floyd’s death.But the two doctors hired by the Floyd family found the death was a homicide.
We recall that, George Floyd moved to the city of Minneapolis being the largest city in the state of Minnesota to emgage himself in the new job that he got for a better life.He was held down by a Minneapolis police officer’s knee. The trending video shows Floyd pleading that he is in pain and can’t breathe. Then, his eyes shut and the please stop. He was pronounced dead shortly after.
According to other media reports– Floyd moved to Minnesota,”to be his best self,” as one of friends said..He worked security at a restaurant, where he developed an outstanding reputation. One of the Floyd’s families, says “Knowing my brother is to love my brother” He’s a gentle giant, he can’t hurt anybody.” Mahmoud Abumayyaleh cup food co-owner narrates the moments that led to one of his employee’s calling the police on George Floyd for alleged fraud. Abumayyaleh states he saw no sign of Floyd resisting arrest in the shop’s surveillance video. They were supposed to be there to serve and to protect’. Though the four Minneapolis officers involved in Floyd’s death were fired, his family members said that’s not enough. They want to see the officers charged with murder.”They 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. Not one of them tried to do anything to help him,” Tera Brown, Floyd’s cousin, told CNN’s Lemon.
The United State President has ordered a proper investigation into Floyd’s murder. The FBI is investigating and said it will present its findings to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota for consideration of possible federal charges. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is conducting its own investigation into possible violations of Minnesota statutes, the FBI said.”The death of Mr. Floyd is deeply disturbing and should be of concern to all Americans,” the statement said. “MCCA commends Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo for “his swift and decisive action to terminate the employment of the officers involved,” the statement said.”What occurred in Minneapolis is a sobering reminder of how quickly bad policing can undermine that trust.”
Countless number of people in their hundred wearing mask to guard against the coronavirus., defied the Coronavirus Pandemic by coming out en-mass to protest Floyd’s death. However, Floyd’s death delineate a kind of incident that is not new in the history of the United States, Police responding to a call from a shopkeeper, about someone trying to pass a potentially counterfeit bill, arrested Floyd. Surveillance video shows a compliant man being led away in handcuffs. But cellphone video later shows a white police officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck for seven minutes, despite protests from onlookers that his life is in jeopardy. Floyd repeatedly says, “I can’t breathe,” and then, “I’m about to die.” When the officer eventually removes his knee, Floyd’s body is limp and unresponsive. A person nearby can be heard saying, “They just killed him.” Floyd was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A police statement said that Floyd appeared to be in “medical distress,” but made no mention of his being pinned to the ground with the weight of a police officer compressing his airway.
The video of Floyd’s death is dreadful but not unexpected; extremely bad or serious but not habitually common, It’s both necessary and, at this point, pedestrian to observe that policing in this country is mediated by race. In a couple od days following Floyd’s death, there has been protes at the point where Floyd died. Other cities are protesting seriously , with hooluns taking advantage of the protes to destroy and loot shops amd other stores.Outside a nearby precinct house, police cars were pelted with rocks, and officers responded by firing tear gas. But, within twenty-four hours of the video coming to light, the Minneapolis Police Department fired the officer who had knelt on Floyd and three others who had been at the scene
There is more to be said about the developing videos capturing the deaths of black Americans, and the complex combination of revulsion and compulsion that accompanies their viewing. Before George Floyd’s death, very few people knew who He was, how he lived his life and what he cared about, now he is known no better save for the stern way in which He met its end.
The family of George Floyd led by his brother,Terrence Floyd is demanding for justice stating categorically that the riot across America will not bring back his brother.He however, urged people to go out and vote rather than turn to violence over his death, saying: “Let’s do this another way.”
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