By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com
(TMU) – In the two weeks since George Floyd was brutally killed on May 25 by the Minneapolis Police Department, the man has become not only a symbol of the fight for change in the United States but also across the globe.
Indeed, Floyd’s death may be having a historic impact that has never been seen in modern times. And it’s also inspiring people from all walks of life to join the cause of demanding justice for the 46-year-old Black native of Houston – and also donating to the cause.
Just over a week ago, Floyd’s family launched the Official George Floyd Memorial Fund through GoFundMe. And now, the GoFundMe has set a record for receiving the largest amount of individual donations on the online fundraising platform, a spokesperson from the site told tabloid website TMZ.
As of Monday morning, the fundraiser has already gained nearly 500 thousand donations and amassed a whopping $13,710,000 and counting. The campaign has also gone global, with donations pouring in from some 125 countries.
According to George’s brother, Philonise, who also organized the fundraiser, all funds will go toward covering funeral and burial expenses, providing counseling for traumatized family members, paying for lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and assisting Floyd’s bereaved loved ones as they continuing pursuing justice for him. Some of them will also go to Floyd’s estate to cover the costs of raising his kids and providing them with a quality education.
Last week, retired boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather also reached out to Floyd’s family and committed to cover all funeral expenses.
Last Thursday, the first of four memorials were held for Floyd last Thursday. On Saturday, another memorial was held in Minneapolis.
On Tuesday, Floyd’s family will be holding a private funeral for George at the Fountain of Praise Church in Houston, Texas, before being taken to his final resting place alongside his mother in a Pearland cemetery. A number of dignitaries and celebrities will be in attendance, including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Rev. Al Sharpton, popular local hip hop artist Slim Thug, Leela James, Paul Wall, Congressman Al Green, Bishop James Dixon, Mayweather, and Floyd’s close friend and former professional basketball player Stephen Jackson.
Cities across the United States including Atlanta, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Louisville, and others will also be lighting up their own City Hall and municipal buildings crimson and gold to honor Floyd, according to Mayor Turner. The colors belonged to Yates High School, which Floyd attended.
According to Minneapolis police, Floyd is alleged to have attempted to use a forged $20 bill to make a purchase from a neighborhood convenience store. In the notorious arrest that followed, now-former police Officer Derek Chauvin held his knee down on Floyd’s neck for over eight minutes as three other officers assisted in the brutal arrest. Floyd was declared dead shortly after and the four officers now all face criminal charges. Chauvin himself faces second-degree murder and homicide charges.
It’s hardly an exaggeration to note that George Floyd’s death has had an unprecedented impact on world events. Millions of people ranging from little children to NFL stars have made public statements about George Floyd, ranging from social media posts to marching and chanting his name. Even massive corporations have made statements to piggyback on the historical moment. In the meantime, politics, as usual, has been upended on all levels, with Floyd’s death inspiring calls to defund or completely abolish the police and becoming the subject of international disputes between major powers.
