FLORIDA — His name chanted.
His last words screamed.
Five years later, George Floyd’s life, and the video of an officer kneeling on him until he died, is still seared into people’s minds.
The breadth of change that followed was felt here, around the country and the world.
Now, half a decade later, we are examining the legacy of the protests, the enduring relationship with law enforcement officers, and the man who died.
Timeline
Reflecting on policy and public perception after George Floyd's death five years ago
Immediately following the death of George Floyd, emotions were high and people took to the streets in cities around the world to make their voices heard. There were hundreds of protests throughout Florida. Demands were made for changes in policies and policing through their protests, and two local filmmakers said they knew they needed to capture it all.
Jaabar Edmond and Cranstan Cumberbatch own DreamMakerz Productions. After watching the horrifying video of a police officer placing his knee on the neck of George Floyd for nine minutes and 29 seconds, killing him, the filmmaking duo knew they had to continue their work, despite pushback.
Training created after George Floyd's death continues
What is captured through the lens of a law enforcement officer’s body camera can make a world of difference. In August 2020, a deputy in Volusia County stopped and handcuffed Joseph Griffin, a veteran who was jogging in his Deltona neighborhood. He was told he fit the description of a burglary suspect.
What happened after the approximately 16-minute encounter between Joseph Griffin and Volusia County Sheriff’s deputies is expected to have a much longer impact — a positive impact. But for Griffin, it did not start that way.
Former Dr. Phillips athlete turned pro still part of movement after George Floyd's death
Some people across Florida are reflecting on the murder of George Floyd and say it still impacts them today. Justin Tucker grew up in West Orlando and created the change he wanted to see in 2020 and says he is still working to keep the movement alive today.
On May 29, 2020, hundreds gathered outside the Central Florida home that was owned by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. In the middle of it was Justin Tucker. It was his first protest. He learned about it on social media.
That summer, Tucker took part in dozens and dozens of protests. What began as activism for Black Lives Matter, he says evolved into a movement.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion: The elevation and demise of DEI
The murder of George Floyd brought Diversity, Equity and Inclusion intiatives to the forefront to address racial inequality and create an inclusive environment. Big companies like Target, Walmart, Lowes, McDonald's and Ford Motor Company went public with DEI initiatives. Some called DEI a movement. Two years after Floyd’s death, there was a change in tone.
By 2024, those same companies began rolling back those programs. Erik Smith is founder of Inclusivity LLC. He has spent more than a decade advising companies on what DEI looks like.
Local muralists create images that move people to action after George Floyd's death
Five years after George Floyd's death, local artists are working hard to make sure the message of unity and change is never forgotten.
Muralists are creating images that move people to action.
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