Four years after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, his family is still grieving. George Floyd’s sister-in-law, Keeta Floyd, describes the ongoing pain as “absolutely hell,” emphasizing that the wounds of such loss never truly heal. Members of the Floyd family recently joined the Congressional Black Caucus in support of the reintroduction of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This legislation, sponsored by Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, aims to implement stricter reforms addressing police misconduct and enhancing accountability standards. Floyd’s brother, Philonise, expressed the family’s deep desire for the law to be passed, highlighting their ongoing fight for justice since George Floyd’s tragic death.
The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act had been passed by the House twice while under Democratic control in 2020 and 2021, but it faced challenges in the Senate. Despite bipartisan negotiations between lawmakers such as New Jersey Democrat Sen. Cory Booker and South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott, issues like banning chokeholds and no-knock warrants led to the bill’s collapse in the Senate. Booker acknowledged the frustrations surrounding the need for 60 votes to pass reforms and the impact of political barriers on enacting crucial changes in policing practices. While there have been numerous state-level policing policy bills enacted, the federal legislation remains stalled.
Philonise Floyd pointed out the progress made in some states, such as Colorado, Connecticut, and New Mexico, which have implemented laws addressing qualified immunity and other policing issues. He emphasized the need for more proactive measures to prevent tragedies like his brother’s death, urging lawmakers to learn from past experiences and take action to reform policing practices. President Biden’s executive order in 2022 aimed at improving policing practices at the federal level was seen as a step in the right direction, but congressional action was deemed necessary to achieve more comprehensive and lasting reforms.
The tragic death of George Floyd in 2020 ignited global protests and a racial reckoning, leading to increased calls for police reform and accountability. Despite the conviction of the officer responsible, Derek Chauvin, and the subsequent sentencing, the Floyd family continues to grapple with the trauma of George’s murder. Philonise Floyd and his wife shared the ongoing mental health struggles they face, including nightmares and emotional turmoil. They emphasized the need for healing and highlighted the unseen impacts of such traumatic events on families. The Floyd family remains committed to advocating for change and justice, standing with other families impacted by police violence in their shared fight for meaningful reforms.
As the Floyd family continues to grieve and heal from the loss of George Floyd, they are determined to keep fighting for justice and meaningful reforms in policing. Their advocacy efforts, along with the support of other families affected by police violence, underscore the importance of addressing systemic issues and implementing legislative changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in policing reflects a broader societal reckoning with racial disparities and the need for transformative change in law enforcement practices.
