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'He didn't deserve to die over $20': George Floyd's brother calls for justice in a House Judiciary hearing

Jun 10, 2020, 22:47 IST
Business Insider
Philonise Floyd, a brother of George Floyd, removes his mask to speak during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on proposed changes to police practices and accountability on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, June 10, 2020, in Washington.Brendan Smialowski/AP Photo
  • Philonise Floyd, one of George Floyd's brothers, gave emotional testimony in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
  • Philonise has become a galvanizing voice for the protests that have spread nationwide and across the world since George's death.
  • "I'm tried. I'm tired of pain," Floyd said.
  • "I'm here to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain. Stop us from being tired. George called for help and he was ignored. Please listen to the call I'm making to you now, to the calls of our family and the calls ringing out in the streets across the world."
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Powerful testimony from George Floyd's brother captivated members of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

Philonise Floyd, who has taken a public facing role since the death of his brother in police custody, told members of Congress that they can no longer wait to make policing reforms.

"I'm tried. I'm tired of pain," Floyd said.

"I'm here to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain. Stop us from being tired. George called for help and he was ignored. Please listen to the call I'm making to you now, to the calls of our family and the calls ringing out in the streets across the world."

Members on the committee — some of whom were seen checking their phones as others testified — appeared to be at full attention as Floyd spoke.

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Floyd relayed protesters' frustrations to the members over the disproportionate use of force Black Americans face from police, citing his brother's death over an alleged counterfeit check for $20.

"He didn't deserve to die over $20. I'm asking you, is that what a black man's life is worth?" Floyd said.

"$20? Enough is enough. The people marching in the streets are telling you enough is enough."

Philonise's voice projected through the hall, occasionally wavering when recalling George's death.

"He called all the officers sir. He was mild mannered. He didn't fight back," Philonise said of George.

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"The man who took his life, who suffocated him for eight minutes and 46 seconds — he still called him sir as he begged for his life."

Floyd urged the committee to take action upon listening to the protesters' demands.

"People of all backgrounds, genders and races have come together to demand change. Honor them, honor George, and make the necessary changes that make law enforcement the solution, and not the problem. Hold them accountable when they do something wrong.

"Teach them what it means to treat people with empathy and respect. Teach them what necessary force is. Teach them that deadly force should be used rarely, and only when life is at risk. George wasn't hurting anyone that day. He didn't deserve to die over $20."

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