United States: Congressman George Floyd's brother calls for police reform

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In the aftermath of the funeral of the African-American whose death aroused a wave of indignation in the country, elected officials are considering the question of police reform. The Judicial Committee of the House of Representatives called a series of witnesses to support a bill introduced by the Democrats. First to be heard by elected officials, Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd.

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With our correspondent in Washington, Anne Corpet

"  The Nation demands and deserves significant changes  ," announced Jerrold Nadler, opening the work of the commission. The Democrats intend to reform the police: they have already introduced a bill. And to support their reflection, they summoned the brother of Georges Floyd .

"  Maybe speaking to you today, I can make sure he didn't die in vain, " said Philonise Floyd. Make sure it's more than a new face on a t-shirt, than a new name on a list that keeps growing . Georges always made sacrifices for our family, and he made sacrifices for complete strangers. He was our gentle giant. On the video of his murder, he called the police officer "sir". The man who took his life, who asphyxiated him for eight minutes and 46 seconds, he called him sir, while begging for his life.  "

The emotion of Georges Floyd's brother was palpable, and his anger too: “  I can't tell you what pain it feels when you look at something like this. When you watch your older brother you admire your whole life dying! Die by calling his mother! I am tired of this pain! I'm here to ask you to stop this ! Put an end to this pain! Put an end to this weariness.  "

Trump accuses Democrats of wanting to dismantle police

For their part, the Republicans invited the sister of a police officer killed during the riots that followed the death of Georges Floyd. "  Who will remember Patrick and his legacy? Please don't forget the name of my brother Patrick,  "she implored, before deciding:"  It would be ridiculous to cut the police budget.  "

If this point is not in the Democrats' bill, President Donald Trump insists that the opposition wants to dismantle the police. And this is the message that the Republicans want to get across. But forced by public pressure, the latter announced that they were also considering reforming police practices.

► To listen: Death of George Floyd: why the mobilization against racism took on a planetary scale?

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• United States
• Racism

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