George Floyd’s brother begs Congress to reform police and asks what a black man’s life is worth

Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd who predicted that his death “is going to change the world,’ pleaded with Congress to reform law enforcement and asked what a black man’s life is worth in today’s world.    

In his prepared testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Floyd recalled May 25, the day his brother died after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. 

‘George wasn’t hurting anyone that day. He didn’t deserve to die over twenty dollars. I am asking you, is that what a black man’s life is worth? Twenty dollars? This is 2020. Enough is enough,’ he said.

George Floyd was arrested after trying pay with a counterfeit $20 bill at a store in Minneapolis. 

Philonise Floyd described his brother, who he said he called ‘Perry,’ as mild mannered and polite. He testified the day after his brother’s burial in Houston, Texas.

‘He was mild mannered. He didn’t fight back. He listened to the officers. He called them “sir.” The men who took his life, who suffocated for him eight minutes and 46 seconds. He still called them “sir” as he begged for his life,’ he said. 

‘I’m tired. I’m tired of the pain I’m feeling now and I’m tired of the pain I feel every time another black person is killed for no reason. I’m here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain. Stop us from being tired,’ he told lawmakers.

He asked lawmakers to listen to the protests that spung up around the country in the wake of his brother’s death and the calls to reform police. 

‘George’s calls for help were ignored. Please listen to the call I’m making to you now, to the calls of our family, and to the calls ringing out in the streets across the world. People of all backgrounds, genders and race have come together to demand change. Honor them, honor George, and make the necessary changes that make law enforcement the solution – not the problem,’ he said.

Philonise Floyd paused and choked back tears as he concluded his opening remarks. 

‘You’re changing the world,’ he told his brother. ‘Thank you for everything. For taking care of us when you were on Earth, and for taking care of all of us now. I hope you found mama and can rest in peace and power.’

As he walked into the committee room on Wednesday morning, Philonise Floyd was asked what message he hoped to send Congress, ‘Justice for George,’ he said.