George Floyd's Brother Skips Appearance With NYPD's Top Cop

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — An "overwhelmed" and emotional Terrence Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, sat out a planned public appearance with NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea.

But based on Shea's words and those of the Rev. Kevin McCall, who spoke for Terrence Floyd, some sort of private dialogue bore fruit.

Together, they called for peace on Terrence Floyd's behalf and in George Floyd's memory.

"He wanted to call for peace, he wanted to call for justice," McCall said. "He wanted to make sure you can't get one without the other. We're hearing that justice is being made and we're moving in the direction of justice, and that's a good thing. But we must continue to keep the conversation going right here in New York City."

The event at The House of the Lord church unfolded Wednesday as authorities in Minnesota elevated the charge against Officer Derek Chauvin — who knelt on George Floyd's neck as Floyd died — to second-degree murder and charged three other Minneapolis police officers.

It also would have represented a homecoming of sorts for Terrence Floyd, who hails from Bed-Stuy and recently made a pilgrimage to the spot where his brother died.

Terrence Floyd made call for peace in Minneapolis, which McCall echoed at the Atlantic Avenue place of worship. People who use protests over George Floyd's killing as a reason to loot should stop, he said.

"Don't do it in the name of George Floyd," he said. "You're disrespecting his legacy."

Shea said the entire NYPD stands with the Floyd family.

"We condemn what took place in Minneapolis," he said. "And I think it's much larger than law enforcement condemning it — any human being with a conscience that looks at that video I think feels the same way. So, my heart goes out to the entire Floyd family. I think this entire difficult period — it's not the first, but please, Lord, it's the last — but it should be a wake up call for this entire country."

The news conference started more than an hour late. It wasn't entirely clear whether Terrence Floyd met with Shea — no one took questions afterward.

Terrence Floyd will appear along with his family plans at a prayer service Thursday at 1 p.m. in Cadman Plaza Park, which will run simultaneously with a Minneapolis memorial, McCall said.