Death of George Floyd: homage to the neighborhood where he grew up, before his funeral on June 9

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Mural in honor of George Floyd in Third Ward, Houston, his youth district, June 2, 2020. Sergio Flores / Getty Images / AFP

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Houston is the city that saw George Floyd grow. His body will be buried there next Tuesday June 9. Report in his neighborhood that pays tribute to him.

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With our special correspondent in Houston, Thomas Harms

In the Third Ward neighborhood, a giant portrait of George Floyd appeared overnight on the wall of the grocery store, two blocks from where he grew up. Since then, residents of this popular area of ​​Houston have come to pay homage to one of their own. We put flowers, candles, and take a picture.

Courtney, in his forties, lives in the neighborhood. “  We knew him by the name of Big Floyd; we went to the same school.  He evokes the video of the policeman who suffocates George Floyd with one knee on his neck: "  It is the most terrible thing I have watched in my life. It's crazy. When I found out it was him and he was calling his mother. Her mother is dead ... You only call your mother dead when you are fighting for your life. He was respected here, someone who educated people, who gave for the community, who gave knowledge, wisdom.  "

When asked about Donald Trump's messages, Courtney replied, "  I don't know who it is. I'm not talking about him. He's not my president. Its time has come.  "

We want to understand  "

In her white pick-up, 76-year-old Gloria put a t-shirt she just bought on the wheel: "  It's a t-shirt that says:" I can't breathe anymore ". Rest in peace Georges Floyd. My son played American football with him at Yates school. He told me to watch the video, there's Floyd. I tell him which Floyd? he replied: "Third Ward Floyd!"  "

For Gloria, the root of the problem is "  racists ." Every day, everywhere. Sometimes it's the way people look at you. You would be surprised: people get into you, some apologize, others do not.  "

What does she think of the demonstrations? I don't see anything wrong with it. We want to understand, we are humans too, we are people!  "

After her, other anonymous people from the neighborhood follow one another for a tribute to George Floyd.

Read also: Death of George Floyd: Obama hails a “change of mentality” among the demonstrators

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