A memorial for George Floyd took place outside of Brooklyn Borough Hall on Sunday as an organization in his name was launched by his brother.
Terrence Floyd said his big brother is looking down at him almost a year after his death, saying he’s proud of the progress that’s been made.
“I’m going to continue to walk where my brother can’t walk, talk where he can’t talk, and I’m going to love where he can’t love,” Terrence said at Sunday's event.
Terrence founded the organization We Are Floyd, which aims to work with health professionals in breaking the silence surrounding mental health issues. Sunday was the soft launch for the organization.
“We’re going to start this movement. We’re going to focus on mental illness,” he said. “Everybody’s feeling it. Everybody’s going through it. But nobody’s talking to each other about it.”
Terrence said he only met his half-brother a few years ago and that they talked every day for a few years before his death. The last time they spoke was to arrange for their daughters to meet for the first time.
“I thank God I had the chance to meet him before his demise,” he said.
Terrence reflected on what he’s seen over the past year since his brother’s death set off protests and police reforms across the U.S.
“I’ve seen a lot of change in people’s attitudes, in people’s mindsets. And I would want it to stay that way. Don’t just have a change of heart because of the moment now. Because it’s not a moment, it’s a movement,” he said.
George Floyd died in Minneapolis on May 25 after then-officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck and pinned him to the ground for about 9 1/2 minutes. Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter, and three other officers await trial on aiding and abetting charges. The four also face federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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