George Floyd, acrylic on canvas, 2021 by Dave Gordon, commissioned by Tariq Gordon.
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The George Floyd Project at the Embassy Cultural House reflects on the murder of George Floyd at the one-year commemoration of his death. We want to use this time to remember his life and acknowledge how his passing has elevated anti-Black racism discourse to a global scale.
The resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the tragedy of Floyd’s killing, brings to the forefront of our collective social consciousness the centuries-old reality of Black livelihood and experiences both in North America and abroad. Embassy Cultural House seeks to memorialize George Floyd alongside the innumerable Black peoples who have suffered at the hands of systemic and institutionalized racism. We honour Black voices by keeping this conversation going, reflecting on the prevalence of anti-Black racism right here in London, Ontario, and highlighting local powerful Black artists each month. The George Floyd Project is our act of remembrance, reverence, but also only a small step in the continuous practice of unlearning and dismantling anti-Black racism wherever it rears its head. |
Anti-Black Discourse in 2020
Anti-Black Racism has been embedded in the social institutions, norms, and expectations of Canadian life for centuries. Discrimination rooted in systematic opression and exploitation has been challenged in the past, but in 2020, as public life temporarily came to a standstill due to the highly infectious COVID-19 pandemic, we as a society were forced to re-evaluate our previous mode of living. For anti-Black racism in particular, the death of George Floyd acted as a primary catalyst. One in a string of unjust killings of Black persons in 2020 George Floyd’s death was the tipping point for conversations about Anti-Black racism and spurred the expansion of the socio-political Black Lives Matter movement.
Despite George Floyd’s murder taking place in the United States, a number of prominent Black-Canadian voices such as Kike Roach, Desmond Cole, Eternity Martis, and Robyn Cole called on Canadians to interrogate and dismantle the overlooked anti-Black Racism that takes place here. Their voices have contributed to necessary local outcry which has eventually led to a number of institutions investing in research, training, and data collection to tackle anti-Black racism.
Anti-Black racism discourse in 2020 took place primarily on social media. The conversation was almost inescapable, especially as most of us were clinging to social media in a time when social interaction was restricted . Waves of information inspired hashtags and entire social media accounts dedicated to talking and sharing information about anti-Black racism. ‘Blackout Tuesday’ stands as perhaps one of the most prominent examples of this, despite being a highly performative gesture in nature. On June 2nd, 2020 this social media movement encouraged everyone to post black squares on their social media accounts, effectively blocking out newsfeeds and timelines on all platforms in an attempt to symbolically stand with the Black Lives Matter movement and recognize all the Black lives lost.
Despite George Floyd’s murder taking place in the United States, a number of prominent Black-Canadian voices such as Kike Roach, Desmond Cole, Eternity Martis, and Robyn Cole called on Canadians to interrogate and dismantle the overlooked anti-Black Racism that takes place here. Their voices have contributed to necessary local outcry which has eventually led to a number of institutions investing in research, training, and data collection to tackle anti-Black racism.
Anti-Black racism discourse in 2020 took place primarily on social media. The conversation was almost inescapable, especially as most of us were clinging to social media in a time when social interaction was restricted . Waves of information inspired hashtags and entire social media accounts dedicated to talking and sharing information about anti-Black racism. ‘Blackout Tuesday’ stands as perhaps one of the most prominent examples of this, despite being a highly performative gesture in nature. On June 2nd, 2020 this social media movement encouraged everyone to post black squares on their social media accounts, effectively blocking out newsfeeds and timelines on all platforms in an attempt to symbolically stand with the Black Lives Matter movement and recognize all the Black lives lost.
Protests and Fundraising
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and government-mandated social distancing measures, between 15 and 26 million people in the United States participated in demonstrations over the death of George Floyd and others in the summer of 2020. Even here in London, Ontario, thousands of local citizens gathered in Victoria Park for an organized Black Lives Matter protest, in support of the movement abroad but also, more precisely, to challenge regional systemic racism. Last year, the world bore witness to what can be considered the largest and most consistent series of socio-political protests of our time.
Today, the official George Floyd Memorial Fund has accumulated over 14 million dollars. The GoFundMe page created by the family is utilizing the money for funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist the family’s legal and court proceedings as they seek justice for George.
Today, the official George Floyd Memorial Fund has accumulated over 14 million dollars. The GoFundMe page created by the family is utilizing the money for funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist the family’s legal and court proceedings as they seek justice for George.
Timeline and Impact
May 25, 2020 - George Floyd dies after being arrested in Minneapolis and held down by police officers, one of whom had his knee on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes.
May 26. 2020 - Police issue a statement saying Floyd died after a "medical incident," and that he physically resisted and appeared to be in medical distress. Minutes later, a bystander video is posted online. Police release a statement saying the FBI will help investigate. Chauvin and three other officers are fired.
May 27, 2020 - Mayor Jacob Frey calls for criminal charges against Chauvin. Anti-racism protests break out across the US along with demonstrations in other parts of the world.
May 29, 2020 - Chauvin is arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
June 5, 2020 - Minneapolis bans chokeholds by police, the first of many changes to be announced in coming months.
July 15, 2020 - Floyd's family sues the city of Minneapolis and the four former officers.
July 21, 2020 - The Minnesota Legislature passes a broad slate of police accountability measures, including bans on neck restraints, chokeholds and so-called warrior-style training.
October 7, 2020 - Chauvin posts $1 million bond and is released from state prison, which leads to more protests.
January 12, 2021 - Judge Peter Cahill rules Chauvin will be tried alone due to courtroom capacity issues.
March 12, 2021 - Minneapolis agrees to pay $27 million settlement to Floyd’s family.
May 26. 2020 - Police issue a statement saying Floyd died after a "medical incident," and that he physically resisted and appeared to be in medical distress. Minutes later, a bystander video is posted online. Police release a statement saying the FBI will help investigate. Chauvin and three other officers are fired.
May 27, 2020 - Mayor Jacob Frey calls for criminal charges against Chauvin. Anti-racism protests break out across the US along with demonstrations in other parts of the world.
May 29, 2020 - Chauvin is arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
June 5, 2020 - Minneapolis bans chokeholds by police, the first of many changes to be announced in coming months.
July 15, 2020 - Floyd's family sues the city of Minneapolis and the four former officers.
July 21, 2020 - The Minnesota Legislature passes a broad slate of police accountability measures, including bans on neck restraints, chokeholds and so-called warrior-style training.
October 7, 2020 - Chauvin posts $1 million bond and is released from state prison, which leads to more protests.
January 12, 2021 - Judge Peter Cahill rules Chauvin will be tried alone due to courtroom capacity issues.
March 12, 2021 - Minneapolis agrees to pay $27 million settlement to Floyd’s family.
April 20, 2021 - After a three-week trial, which included 45 witnesses on the stand and nearly 10 hours of jury deliberations, Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three charges: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The three other officers involved in the Floyd’s murder will be tried later this year for aiding and abetting Chauvin. Upon hearing the guilty verdict, people celebrated in America and across the world.
Resources in London and the GTA
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Black Lives Matter London
https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterlondon/ A page dedicated to uplifting the Black community in London, Ontario and worldwide. NIA Centre for the Arts
https://niacentre.org NIA Centre for the Arts is a Toronto-based charitable organization that supports, showcases and promotes an appreciation of arts from across the Afro-Diaspora. |
Black London Project
https://wowconsultancy.ca/about/black-london-project The project works to develop programs and projects that highlight and celebrate Blackness in traditional white spaces across the city scape. Black Health Alliance
https://blackhealthalliance.ca The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada. |
Black Lives Matter Toronto
https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterTO/ A movement to resisting anti-Black racism, state-sanctioned and institutional violence, and fighting for Black Lives Black Youth Helpline
https://blackyouth.ca Black Youth Helpline responds to the need for a Black youth specific service, positioned and resourced to promote access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth, families and schools |
The Fight for Justice Continues
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TAMIR RICE
November 22, 2014 - 12-year-old Tamir Rice is shot dead in Cleveland, Ohio by a police officer after reports of a male who was "probably a juvenile" pointing a gun that was "probably fake" at passersby. The shooting is captured on video. Protests and public outcry break out in Cleveland.
December 5, 2014 - Tamir's family files a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and police department. December 28, 2015 - Grand jury does not indict police officers, Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback. April 25, 2016 - The city of Cleveland agrees to pay $6 million to settle the civil rights lawsuit. March 2017 - Loehmann is fired from the police force in 2017 not for killing Tamir but for providing false information on his job application. BREONNA TAYLOR
March 13, 2020 - 26-year-old Breonna Taylor is shot 8 times when officers raid her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville police say they returned fire after one officer was shot and wounded. Her death leads to protests across the US.
April 27, 2020 - Taylor's family files a wrongful death lawsuit in against Officers Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison and Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly. June 11, 2020 - The Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Council unanimously passes Breonna's Law. The new law outlaws "no-knock" warrants and requires body cameras be turned on before and after every search. June 23, 2020 - The Louisville Metro Police Department fires Hankison. September 15, 2020 – The city of Louisville announces it has reached a record $12 million settlement with the family of Taylor. The settlement in the family's wrongful-death lawsuit includes a major police reform package. September 23, 2020 - A Kentucky grand jury indicts Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment. None of the officers involved are charged with her death. |
STEPHON CLARK
March 18, 2018 - Stephon Clark, a 22-year-old man, is shot 7 times and killed in the backyard of his grandmother’s backyard in Sacramento, California by two police officers investigating a nearby break-in. The officers state that they believed he had pointed a gun at them, but no weapon is found on Clark, only a cell phone. The release of a police video of the incident sparks major protests in the city.
January 28, 2019 - Clark’s family files a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the officers involved. March 2, 2019 - The authorities announce that the two officers will not face criminal prosecution as the officers “felt their lives were in danger” and were legally justified in using deadly force against him. August 19, 2019 - Governor Gavin Newsom sign the Stephon Clark Law, which requires that police officers use deadly force only when “necessary” as opposed to whenever officers thought it “reasonable.” September 5, 2019 - The city settles the lawsuit for $2.4 million to be distributed to Clark’s two sons. DAUNTE WRIGHT
April 11, 2021 – In Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, 20-year-old Daunte Wright was shot and killed after being pulled over for an expired registration tag on his car. The police claim the killing appeared to be accidental, and the officer, Kim Potter, had meant to use her Taser and not her handgun.
April 11, 2021 - a series of protests begins in Brooklyn Center and spreads across the United States. April 13, 2021 - Potter and police chief Tim Gannon resign. April 14, 2021 - Potter is arrested and charged Wednesday with second-degree manslaughter that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years incarceration. |
Sources
"Black Lives Matter May Be the Largest Movement in U.S. History"-https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html
"The Pervasive Reality of Anti-Black Racism in Canada"- https://www.bcg.com/en-ca/publications/2020/reality-of-anti-black-racism-in-canada
“A timeline of Breonna Taylor's case since police broke down her door and shot her” - https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/23/us/breonna-taylor-timeline/index.html
“Timeline: Key events since George Floyd's arrest and death” - https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/timeline-key-events-since-george-floyd-s-arrest-and-death-1.5392729?cache=%2F7.426169&src=sdkpreparse
“How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody” - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html
“George Floyd: Timeline of black deaths and protests” - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52905408
“Cleveland To Pay $6 Million To Settle Tamir Rice Lawsuit” - https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/25/475583746/cleveland-to-pay-6-million-to-settle-tamir-rice-lawsuit
“Manslaughter case can proceed against ex-cop who fatally shot Daunte Wright, judge rules” - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/daunte-wright-shooting-case-proceed-kim-potter/
“Cleveland agrees to pay $6 million to settle Tamir Rice lawsuit, won’t admit any wrongdoing” - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/04/25/cleveland-agrees-to-pay-6-million-to-settle-tamir-rice-lawsuit/
“The children of Stephon Clark, who was fatally shot by Sacramento police, will get $2.4 million from the city” - https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/06/us/stephon-clark-settlement
“Newsom signs ‘Stephon Clark’s Law,’ setting new rules on police use of force” - https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-california-police-use-of-force-law-signed-20190711-story.html
"The Pervasive Reality of Anti-Black Racism in Canada"- https://www.bcg.com/en-ca/publications/2020/reality-of-anti-black-racism-in-canada
“A timeline of Breonna Taylor's case since police broke down her door and shot her” - https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/23/us/breonna-taylor-timeline/index.html
“Timeline: Key events since George Floyd's arrest and death” - https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/timeline-key-events-since-george-floyd-s-arrest-and-death-1.5392729?cache=%2F7.426169&src=sdkpreparse
“How George Floyd Was Killed in Police Custody” - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-investigation.html
“George Floyd: Timeline of black deaths and protests” - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52905408
“Cleveland To Pay $6 Million To Settle Tamir Rice Lawsuit” - https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/25/475583746/cleveland-to-pay-6-million-to-settle-tamir-rice-lawsuit
“Manslaughter case can proceed against ex-cop who fatally shot Daunte Wright, judge rules” - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/daunte-wright-shooting-case-proceed-kim-potter/
“Cleveland agrees to pay $6 million to settle Tamir Rice lawsuit, won’t admit any wrongdoing” - https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/04/25/cleveland-agrees-to-pay-6-million-to-settle-tamir-rice-lawsuit/
“The children of Stephon Clark, who was fatally shot by Sacramento police, will get $2.4 million from the city” - https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/06/us/stephon-clark-settlement
“Newsom signs ‘Stephon Clark’s Law,’ setting new rules on police use of force” - https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-california-police-use-of-force-law-signed-20190711-story.html
