The first of three memorial services for George Floyd, the man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes, will be held Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis.
The service will take place at North Central University in Minneapolis. The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, along with Floyd family attorney Ben Crump are expected to speak.
“It would be inadequate if you did not regard the life and love and celebration the family wants,” Sharpton said. “But it would also be inadequate ... if you acted as though we’re at a funeral that happened under natural circumstances.”
Protest over Floyd’s death broke out in cities large and small across the country as the video of now-former police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck went viral. Chauvin has been charged with second-degree murder.
Thursday’s service is set for 1 p.m. Central Standard Time (2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time) and will be broadcast live on Fox News, CNN and other cable news networks. ABC, CBS and NBC will also carry the service live. It is expected to last around two hours.
The second service will be held at Raeford, North Carolina, where Floyd was born. It is set for Saturday and will include a two-hour public viewing and then a private service for his family.
The third service will include a public viewing Monday in Houston and then a funeral service on Tuesday at The Fountain of Praise church. That service will include addresses from Sharpton, Crump and The Rev. Remus E. Wright, the family’s pastor.
A private burial will follow that service.
According to The Associated Press, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Fountain of Praise will be limited to 20% of its capacity and visitors will be required to wear masks.
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