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Nearly five years ago, George Floyd's killing sparked nationwide protests and forced Americans to reckon with racism and injustice against Black people. While there's still hope for continued progress, efforts by the Trump administration and his supporters are threatening to rewrite history and taint the legacy and impact of Floyd's death.
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed on May 25, 2020 after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for over nine minutes as he cried out, "I can't breathe." Video of the police killing drove people of all races and creeds out of their houses and into the streets to protest against police brutality and stand with the Black community.
Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years in prison in July 2022 on federal civil rights charges in the death of Floyd.
Just months ahead of the anniversary of Floyd's murder, right-wing commentator Ben Shapiro announced an online petition in March to secure a federal pardon for Chauvin, arguing that he was "unjustly convicted." Tech billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk backed Shapiro's push, saying a pardon for Chauvin was "something to think about."
Despite MAGA calls for a federal pardon, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison made it clear earlier this month that Chauvin will serve his full state conviction. Chauvin was sentenced in 2021 to 22.5 years in state prison on charges of murder and manslaughter in connection with Floyd's killing. He is currently serving his federal and state sentences concurrently.
“He’s not getting out,” Ellison said, noting that the ex-officer "still owes Minnesota 22.5 years."
On Wednesday (May 21), just days before Floyd's death anniversary, Trump's Department of Justice moved to drop a police reform agreement, known as a consent decree, reached with the city of Minneapolis in January.
The consent decree was initially reached under the Biden administration following a federal investigation into policing spurred by Floyd's killing in 2020. The agreement was designed to overhaul the Minneapolis police department to address failures in training, use-of-force policies, and officer accountability.
The Biden administration finalized its agreement with Minneapolis in January 2025, but the Trump administration soon after secured a delay in its implementation. On Wednesday, Trump's DOJ informed a Minnesota federal court that it would no longer be pursuing the consent decree, saying that the department doesn't believe the agreement serves the public interest.
Attorney Ben Crump, who represents Floyd;s family, said the DOJ's decision was a "slap in the face" that will "deepen the divide between law enforcement and the people."
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vowed on Wednesday to move forward with the proposed police reforms "with or without" Trump.
Amid attempts to revise history, Floyd's cousin, Shareeduh McGee, is reminding people "to not forget" what actually happened.
“It's important because it was an ultimate sacrifice and I think if you don't create opportunities for people to learn from it, if we don't have changes that become a cause of, changes that happen because of that huge loss, then it was in vain. His death was in vain. So I think it's extremely important for people you know, to not forget. And I have a responsibility as a blood relative to make sure that I do my part.”
“I think his legacy is gonna be on for years and years to come because what happened, you know, it just brought life back to all of us that we need to change. Make a change for the difference and just come together and work together in unity and strengthen. Where there is unity, there is strength.”
McGee spoke at the Movement Festival, a four-day event honoring Floyd organized by local Kay Davis In The Community nonprofit and the Floyd family. “I think it's extremely important for people to not forget,” McGee said. “And I have a responsibility as a blood relative to make sure that I do my part.”
Tune in to The Black Perspective on the Black Information Network for “George Floyd: Remembering a Life, Inspiring a Movement,” airing Sunday, May 25 at 9am and 9pm ET. Listen on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.