Commonwealth Policy Center

Businesses were looted and cars burned in the streets of Minneapolis in a display of anger by rioters as video footage showed George Floyd being smothered and killed by a police officer. The video showed Floyd, who is black, lying face down and handcuffed with an officer’s knee on his neck. He repeatedly tells the officer he cannot breathe. After several minutes, Floyd stops moving and breathing. Law enforcement experts call it excessive and unnecessary force. As a result, four officers were immediately fired and federal investigators have been called in. This has sparked protests across the nation as race relations once again become tense. Consolation to those grieving is in order, especially prayers for the family. And prayers that justice might be done so our nation can begin healing the racial divide.