Leid Stories--A Week That Shook the Nation--06.01.20

A Week That Shook the Nation

Much of nation is on edge, hoping that the still-being-finalized homegoing services for George Floyd, the 46-year-old black man tortured and killed in a violent police arrest in Minneapolis on Monday, will respect the family's wishes for dignity and calm.

In the immediate aftermath of Floyd's death, the city of Minneapolis and several cities across the country, exploded with rage when none of four officers was arrested for crimes they allegedly committed during Floyd's arrest that directly contributed to his death.

The most egregious of these was when the lead officer, aided by others, kept Floyd totally incapicitated by kneeling on his neck for almost nine  minutes. He ignored Floyd's desperate pleas for air, as well witnesses imploring him not to continue  ill-treating Floyd, who by then had collapsed and was not breathing. 

Only after public protest were all four officers fired, although only one is now facing charges. Derek Chauvin, who appeared to be the leader of the team who kept his knee on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes now faces first-degree murder charges.

Reaction was immediate and intense, touching off violent violent protests in several cities.

What will be the outcome of this case? Was violent protest necessary? Will police conduct toward people (especially men) of color improve?