The Switch Up — In conversation with George Floyd’s family, 4 years after murder

On May 25, 2020, the world watched as 46-year-old George Floyd was murdered by a white police officer kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes.

Floyd’s last words of “I can’t breathe” became a rallying cry for millions around the globe. People poured into the streets to demand police reform — and an end to the police violence that disproportionately affects Black Americans.

Just days before the U.S. recognized the four-year anniversary of Floyd’s murder, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) reintroduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a bill that would pass sweeping federal police reform by ending qualified immunity and banning no-knock warrants and chokeholds. And Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) also recently revived the Helping Families Heal Act, a bill that would provide mental health services for those affected by police violence.

The Switch Up sat down with Floyd’s family — his brother, Philonise and his sister-in-law, Keeta — to talk about what this anniversary means to them and how they think the legislation can help the nation.

Listen above.

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Editor’s Note: This episode includes language about police brutality and murder. Please consider this when deciding if and where you will listen. 

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The Switch Up podcast series — hosted by The Hill’s Cheyanne M. Daniels — explores the intersection of race and politics through intimate conversations with leading scholars, advocates and legislators from communities of color. Follow The Switch Up on Spotify.