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Tributes Pour in on the One-Year Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder

By May 25th, 2021, 5:35 pm
A colorful mural painted in memory of George Floyd by artist Kenny Altidor

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George Floyd was killed a year ago today in Minneapolis. His murderer, then-police officer Derek Chauvin, was found guilty on all three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Last May and through the summer, outrage surrounding Floyd’s death propelled the Black Lives Matter movement to the global stage.

Protests in solidarity, and to further rally against systemic racism, injustice, and police brutality in America and elsewhere, were held in 60 countries on all seven continents. In the United States, it’s estimated that between 15 and 26 million people took joined together to protest Floyd’s murder, which would render it the largest movement in U.S. history in terms of participation. Many of these protests and gatherings were also met with police brutality, violent crackdowns, and enforced curfews across the nation.

On May 25th, 2021, a year to the day he was murdered, innumerable tributes and reflections on Floyd have filled social media, while in-person rallies and marches, including those led by Floyd’s family members, are commemorating Floyd and pushing for reform.

Here are some of the thoughts shared by public figures, activists, politicians, celebrities, institutions, and more in memory of George Floyd.

Among the all but uncountable American voices speaking out today and remembering Floyd, it’s striking to see international tributes, protests, commemorations, and art projects planned worldwide.

Many tweets from activists, social media users, and politicians, as well as reports from the media, are also rightfully emphasizing how little has altered policy-wise and how far we still have to go. Floyd’s murder sparked the biggest movement in our history and began conversations about racism and police reform in many new forums, yet actual substantive action from the federal government and city and state authorities has been lacking. Since Floyd died, at least 1,068 people in America have been killed by police. That’s an average of three people a day, with the killings disproportionately affecting Black Americans.

While there is a long and steep road ahead when it comes to racial justice and police abolition in this country, the number of people saying George Floyd’s name and remembering him today is testament to the world that he changed.

(image: Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

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Author
Kaila Hale-Stern
Kaila Hale-Stern (she/her) is a content director, editor, and writer who has been working in digital media for more than fifteen years. She started at TMS in 2016. She loves to write about TV—especially science fiction, fantasy, and mystery shows—and movies, with an emphasis on Marvel. Talk to her about fandom, queer representation, and Captain Kirk. Kaila has written for io9, Gizmodo, New York Magazine, The Awl, Wired, Cosmopolitan, and once published a Harlequin novel you'll never find.
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