In a dramatic moment in the crisis over race and policing, George Floyd’s brother, Philonise Floyd, testified Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee on reform proposals, following George’s death in the custody of Minneapolis officers. An event that triggered national outrage.
What We Know:
- When asked what he planned to tell the committee as he arrived on Capitol Hill, Philonise said, “Justice for George”. Also testifying were Floyd family’s lawyer, Benjamin Crump, a former Secret Service agent, and the sister of a federal law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.
“I’m the big brother now. So, it was my job to comfort our brothers and sisters, Perry’s (George) kids, and everyone who loved him. And that is a lot of people. I have to be the strong one now, because it’s what George would have done.”
- “To do what Perry always did for us – take care of the family and others,” he told the committee. “I couldn’t take care of George the day he was killed, but maybe by speaking with you today, I can help make sure his death isn’t in vain. To make sure that he is more than another face on a t-shirt. More than another name on a list that won’t stop growing.”
- “He gave the little that he had to help others. He was our gentle giant,” Philonise said Wednesday. “I was reminded of that when I watched the video of his murder. He was mild mannered; he did not fight back. He listened to the officers. He called them ‘sir’. The men who took his life, who suffocated him for eight minutes and 46 seconds. He still called them ‘sir’ as he begged for his life.”
- Philonise then pointed out that George’s calls for help were “ignored,” asking lawmakers to now listen to the call of protesters across the nation and around the globe.
Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother: "I can't tell you the kind of pain you feel when…you watch your big brother, who you looked up to your whole entire life, die, die begging for his mom! I'm tired. I'm tired of pain." https://t.co/eJfauJ49VE pic.twitter.com/fianGy7QFS
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 10, 2020
Philonise Floyd to Congress on his brother George Floyd: "If his death ends up changing the world for the better—and I think it will—then he died as he lived."
"It is on you to make sure his death is not in vain." https://t.co/eJfauJ49VE pic.twitter.com/4TO33oLcAU
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 10, 2020
Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., has scheduled a hearing next week on policing reform, telling reporters that he has told his members to “think big” in terms of witnesses.
