'They should all be alive': George Floyd family lead powerful tribute and moment of silence at DNC

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday

Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy

The family of George Floyd has led a powerful tribute and a moment of silence on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention.

“George was selfless. He always made sacrifices for his family, friends, and even complete strangers. George had a giving spirit. A spirit that has shown up on streets around our nation, and around the world — people of all races, all ages, all genders, all backgrounds — peacefully protesting in the name of love and unity,” said Mr Floyd’s brother, Philonise, sitting with another of the slain man’s brothers, Rodney.

“George should be alive today. Breonna Taylor should be alive today. Eric Garner should be alive today. Stephon Clark, they should all be alive today. It’s up to us to carry on the fight for justice. Our actions will be their legacies.”

It has been three months since the 46-year-old from Texas died after being arrested by police in Minneapolis, on suspicion of using a fake $20 bill.

Video footage taken at the scene showed one white officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on the unarmed man’s neck for more than eight minutes as Mr Floyd told the police officer he could not breathe. He died later that day, his death sparking protests that swept across America, and rippled around the world. Mr Chauvin has been charged with murder.

Polls showed that Donald Trump’s response to the death of Mr Floyd, and the demand for wholesale reform of the US’s police and criminal justice justice, was out of touch with a majority of Americans.

Joe Biden and the Democrats have sought to be on the right side of the issue, and after he announced in March that he would select a woman as his running mate if he became the party’s candidate, it became widely anticipated he would select a woman of colour.

Last week, Mr Biden said that person was Kamala Harris, a black senator from California, whose pick was widely praised by commentators.

“Please join me in a moment of silence to honour George, and the many other souls we lost to hate and injustice,” said Mr Floyd, concluding his brief remarks. “And when this moment ends, let’s make sure we never stop saying their names.”