Christian leaders are crying foul after the United States witnessed yet another example of a person made in God’s image being treated inhumanely and consequently losing his life. A bystander filmed a video of a man, later identified as George Floyd, being pinned face down to the asphalt by a Minneapolis police officer. The police officer immobilized Floyd by placing his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck. In the first few minutes of the video, Floyd can be heard pleading for the officer to release him because he can’t breathe. “Please, please, I can’t breathe. Please, man, please,” Floyd is heard saying.
According to the Minneapolis police department’s report of the incident, police were called after receiving “a report of a forgery in progress” at a grocery store. They were informed the suspect, Floyd, was outside the shop and allegedly under the influence. According to the report, Floyd physically resisted arrest. The report also says the police officers called an ambulance because Floyd was suffering “medical distress.”
Video Calls Minneapolis Police Report Into Question
However, the video raises a lot of questions about why the police officers felt they needed to use force against Floyd. For all intents and purposes, the video leaves no doubt as to how Floyd came to be medically distressed. [Please note: we are not linking to the video, which was published to Facebook by Darnella Frazier, due to its graphic nature.]
The video starts with Floyd already lying on the street, an officer sitting on top of him and another officer with his knee in Floyd’s neck. This lasts for at least five minutes. Bystanders, including a woman who identified herself as a firefighter, are seen arguing with the police officers involved. The woman and another male bystander become increasingly agitated as they repeatedly ask officers to check Floyd’s pulse after he stops moving. One person points out that Floyd’s nose is bleeding. At one point, the officer with his knee on Floyd’s neck, identified later as Derek Chauvin, pulls out what appears to be mace when the bystanders move closer, seemingly threatening to spray them if they move any closer.
The end of the video shows Floyd being lifted onto a stretcher by paramedics, completely unresponsive. The police report says “He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center by ambulance where he died a short time later.”
Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the incident. Meanwhile, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo announced yesterday that the four police officers involved had been placed on “relieved of duty status.” In other words, they were fired. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said that “this officer failed in the most basic human sense” and that “being black in America should not be a death sentence.”
Floyd’s death follows the death of Ahmaud Arbery, a young black man who was gunned down while he was jogging by a group of white men who suspected him of theft.
‘Big Floyd’ Remembered by Friends and Family Members
Those who knew “Big Floyd” personally are concerned with how their friend and family member might be portrayed, either by the police department or the officers involved. They are sharing stories about a man who, according to one friend, moved to Minneapolis to turn his life around. Vanita Williams told BuzzFeed News that Floyd was working as a security guard at a homeless shelter in an effort to give back and help other people.
“He was articulate, he was grounded, he was spiritual, he was an athlete, he was an organizer, he was a comforter, he was an encourager,” said Williams. “I could just go on and on and on about who he was. That guy did not deserve to die like that.”
Bridgett Floyd, George Floyd’s sister, told the Today Show that her brother was a man of faith. “Faith is something that me and my brother always talked about because he was a God-fearing man regardless of what he done.” Bridgett believes she and her family will see justice. “I believe that justice will be served. I have enough faith to stand on it.”
Christian Leaders Respond to Floyd’s Death
Meanwhile, Christian leaders are using their social media platforms to discuss Floyd’s death and raise awareness that America still has a lot of work to do on the racial reconciliation front.
Ronnie Lillard [Reconcile] – A Christian hip-hop artist
Share this about “Big Floyd” before they change the narrative! The man that helped me drag a baptism pool to the court in the projects so we could baptize dudes in the hood. The man that helped put down & clean up chairs at outreaches in the hood. A man of peace! A good man. https://t.co/iwKyc1j7Es
— RECONCILE (@ReconcileUs) May 27, 2020
Jackie Hill Perry – Christian author, hip-hop artist, poet, Bible teacher.
https://twitter.com/JackieHillPerry/status/1265342173207281666?s=20
Dr. Eric Mason – Pastor, author
This racial pandemic is demonic! How many black bodies will it take! I’ve been rehearsing in my mind what to do if me or any my sons were being beaten or killed by law enforcement!
— Dr. Eric Mason (@pastoremase) May 27, 2020
Lecrae – Christian hip-hop artist, music executive.
My soul is grieved and Im tired y’all. Jesus give us wisdom and strength. https://t.co/HHVjAD8pN5
— Lecrae (@lecrae) May 26, 2020
Jack Graham – Pastor, author
We cannot ignore the tragic death of George Floyd. The brokenness of a sinful world and violent humans cannot be tolerated. Silence is not an option. We condemn hate in all its forms and stand together to end injustice. For the love of God.
— Jack Graham (@jackngraham) May 27, 2020
Tony Evans – Pastor, author
My heart breaks to witness yet another senseless loss of life. As believers in Christ, we must band together across racial lines to ensure justice is righteously served and a new environment for safety, equity and healing can be established. #icantbreathe
— Tony Evans (@drtonyevans) May 26, 2020
J.D. Greear – Pastor, author, SBC president.
#ahmaudarbery, #breonnataylor, #georgefloyd – Hashtags that represent people made in God’s image—souls tragically lost. These tragedies move us to lament ongoing racial tension and the severe and lasting damage racism has caused in our country.
— J.D. Greear (@jdgreear) May 27, 2020
Beth Moore – Christian author, Bible teacher.
Dear God in heaven.
George Floyd.
I have no fitting words but grief and such deep sorrow for the horrors African Americans continue to endure. https://t.co/i1UqU1veU9
— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) May 26, 2020
Mark Dever – Pastor, author.
Sin that breaks even the sin-darkened heart of humans. Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him . . . ." https://t.co/jr7mikXGfe
— Mark Dever (@MarkDever) May 27, 2020
Preston Perry – Apologist, street preacher, poet.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAqV4weBHB4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Thabiti Anyabwile – Pastor, author.
It’s really sick, sinful, demonic. There are seemingly few places in this great expanse of a country where a fearless gospel with a final judgment, a holy God, and an eternal hell is preached against it. The conscience of the country sleeps b/c the preachers of the country sleep.
— Thabiti Anyabwile (@ThabitiAnyabwil) May 27, 2020
Derek Minor – Christian hip-hop artist, record producer.
A lack of justice is a sin.
— Derek Minor (@thederekminor) May 26, 2020
Toby McKeehan – Christian hip-hop artist, music producer, author.
My heart is broken. We must speak out….we must. pic.twitter.com/dpBpFmbsVx
— TobyMac (@tobymac) May 27, 2020
Andy Mineo – Christian hip-hop artist.
Church leaders spend too much time defending themselves when challenged to do more for injustice & racism. Admitting you’ve not done more to care about what God cares about & asking forgiveness is LITERALLY the central theme of Christianity.
Pastor @jeremyfoster – this is it. pic.twitter.com/8V6Q28PLzF
— It’s pronounced ‘mini-o’ (@AndyMineo) May 27, 2020
Christine Caine – Evangelist, author, international speaker.
I used to see videos like this and think to myself, “Let’s wait for all the details to come out.” Now after seeing too many videos like this to name I’m beginning to wonder if my response should have been, “Maybe I should try to understand their pain.” https://t.co/K4bS18HW2C
— Christine Caine (@ChristineCaine) May 26, 2020
