Bereaved “I will support low-income black society”
George Floyd’s brother Rodney Floyd shakes hands with Mayor Jacob Frey’s Minneapolis. 〈Source = Yonhap News〉During the arrest process, the bereaved family of black George Floyd, who was crushed and killed by a white policeman in the knees, received approximately 30 billion won in compensation.
On the 12th local time, CNN reported that the city of Minneapolis has agreed to pay $27 million to Floyd’s bereaved family members by unanimous vote by the city committee, and about 30.7 billion won in our money.
Following Floyd’s death, a settlement was reached on a civil lawsuit filed by the bereaved against the city.
The settlement amount for civil lawsuits made before the trial is the largest ever since 2006.
Of the settlement, $500,000 was paid to the town where Floyd was arrested.
George Floyd’s younger brother Philonis Floyd expressed gratitude to the citizens who had protested together, saying, “We have an opportunity to support the low-income African-American community.”
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender said, “On behalf of the City Council, I would like to express my deepest consolation to George Floyd’s family and friends, and to all of our communities mourning his death.”
“The city of Minneapolis will be a symbol of change in cities around the world,” said Ben Crump, who defended the family of George Floyd.
However, some pointed out that the time when the agreement was reached was inappropriate.
The agreement came shortly after the jury selection process began in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Shovin, who killed Floyd.
Mary Moriarty, former public defense attorney for the City of Minneapolis, raised concerns that the agreement could influence the judgment of the jury.
However, the City of Minneapolis replied, “The agreement is independent and separate from the ongoing criminal trial.”
George Floyd died in the process of being arrested in May last year by a police officer who was dispatched after being reported using a counterfeit bill worth $20.
Derek Shobin, a former policeman, was charged with crushing Floyd’s neck with his knees for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, screaming “I can’t breathe,” in handcuffs.