Hundreds Celebrate George Floyd At North Carolina Memorial

RAEFORD, NC — As protesters around the country come together Saturday to rally against police brutality and racial inequality, family and friends gathered to memorialize George Floyd, who died on Memorial Day while in police custody.

Several hundred celebrants were in attendance at the service in Raeford. Worshipers sang along with a choir as a large photo of Floyd and a portrait of him adorned with an angel’s wings and halo sat at the front of the chapel.

Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin, who is African American, told congregants that police officers around the country must be able to admit to themselves, “I am part of the problem."

“We as law enforcement officers don’t have the authority to bully, push people around and kill them just because we have a badge and a gun,” Peterkin said as the congregation cheered.

Nearly two weeks have passed since Floyd's death in Minneapolis. Four former Minneapolis police officers are now facing charges after one of the officers, Derek Chauvin, put his knee on Floyd's neck for several minutes as he lay handcuffed on the pavement.

Floyd suffered a cardiac arrest when he was restrained by Chauvin, according to the Hennepin County Medical examiner. The manner of death was listed as homicide.

Floyd's death has set off nearly two week of demonstrations in all 50 states and other countries around the globe.

Gone, mostly, is the violence and looting from last week, replaced by a quiet, yet more forceful, grassroots call for communities to address police brutality, racism and inequality.

A memorial service was held for Floyd in Minneapolis on Thursday, at which the Rev. Al Sharpton vowed a movement to "change the whole system of justice."

"George Floyd's story has been the story of black folks. Because ever since 401 years ago, the reason we could never be who we wanted and dreamed to be is you kept your knee on our neck," Sharpton said in a fierce eulogy. "It's time for us to stand up in George's name and say, 'Get your knee off our necks!'"

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