May 25, 2020, marked a turning point when a passerby filmed the tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Floyd was an unarmed Black man who died while in police custody, as a White officer knelt on his neck for over eight minutes, ignoring his repeated pleas of 'I can't breathe.'
The footage soared across social platforms within hours, igniting protests from major capitals to smaller towns worldwide. The raw images and cries for justice struck a chord, shining a light on long-standing racial inequalities and the urgent need for change.
In the days that followed, rallies and demonstrations called for sweeping police reforms. Civic groups, activists and lawmakers pledged to tackle issues like use-of-force policies and officer accountability. Yet as the five-year anniversary arrives, progress seems stalled, with many reform efforts still mired in debate and delay.
For young global citizens, Floyd's story became a rallying cry — a stark reminder of the power of collective action and digital solidarity. But for communities across the U.S., the promise of meaningful change often feels out of reach, as systemic challenges persist and debates over enforcement measures continue.
The challenge now is to turn grassroots energy into concrete policies, reignite momentum and ensure that the voices demanding justice are not just heard but acted upon. Five years on, the fight for police reform in the U.S. remains as pressing as ever.
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Police reform stalls in U.S. five years after George Floyd's murder
cgtn.com
