ST. PAUL, Minneapolis (AP) – Dozens of people gathered Saturday in front of the Minnesota governor’s mansion to hold police officers accountable, days before a former Minneapolis officer is on trial for the death of George Floyd .
Many of the approximately 150 people who demonstrated in Minnesota were relatives of others who died during police rallies. Similar protests were organized in cities across the country before the trial against Derek Chauvin.
Floyd, a black man, died on May 25 after Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck while Floyd was held up on the floor with handcuffs, saying he could not breathe. Body camera video time stamps provided by prosecutors show Chauvin held his position for about nine minutes, even after Floyd stopped moving. Floyd was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter and jury selection at his trial begins Monday.
Saturday’s protest in Minnesota was organized by Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence, a coalition of families who lost loved ones in police clashes. The Star Tribune reports that speakers said that in light of Floyd’s death, they want other deadly police encounters to be reopened and examined.