Death of George Floyd: Houston prepares for the funeral

Protesters pay tribute to African-American George Floyd for saying no to racism and police violence in Minneapolis on June 4, 2020. REUTERS / Nicholas Pfosi

Text by: Thomas Harms

After Minneapolis and North Carolina, the body of George Floyd arrived this weekend in the city where he grew up, Houston. What looks like a state funeral is held for 2 days at the Fort Bend Memorial Planning Center in south Houston. Meeting with the organizer of the ceremonies.

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From our correspondent in Houston,

From the day after the murder in Minneapolis Bobby Swearington took care of coordinating the funeral ceremonies. In Minneapolis last Thursday, then in Raeford in North Carolina on Saturday and finally those in Houston.

“  We have already organized ceremonies for personalities. But this one is really the biggest,  ”he says.

Monday, the anonymous will be able for six hours to come to meditate before the body of George Floyd. Bobby Swearington is expecting a lot of people.

"  This Monday, we prepared 10,000 commemorative boxes," he explains. Anyone who wants to come and pay tribute to Mr. Floyd, drop messages or condolences to the family can do so at this time. We are not short of donations at this stage: money, flowers from the community to the Floyd family. People offer their weaners, companies their products. "

► Read also  : Death of George Floyd: the tribute to the neighborhood where he grew up, before his funeral on June 9

Tuesday will be the funeral of George Floyd closed to the public. “  People from across the country are coming to celebrate the life of Mr. Floyd. And after this office he will go to rest with his mother in Houston-Pearland Texas. We expect a lot of people on our site for the days of Monday and Tuesday. This is why we have planned many security measures. Lots of police. There will be several police officers who will participate to ensure that we will be safe that day. "

Hundreds of people have been trying for several days to buy tickets for the ceremonies. But Bobby Swearington repeats it: none is for sale.

► Read also: In Washington, a peaceful crowd marches against police violence in the United States

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