Several Democratic senators were seen kneeling during the moment of silence for George Floyd, whose death has sparked protests across the nation for justice.
During a caucus meeting on Thursday, Democratic senators spent eight minutes and 46 seconds taking a moment of silence for Floyd.
This was the same amount of time that former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin had his knee pinned on Floyd’s neck on May 25 while detaining him, the pinning continued despite Floyd saying he could not breathe. Floyd died in police custody that day. When the video circulated on social media, it caused protests to erupt across the U.S.
The senators who knelt during the moment were Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).
Following the moment of silence, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) said, “Today we gather here in solemn reverence to not just mark his tragic death but to give honor to his life,” adding, “George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor. May we honor those dead by protecting all who are alive.”
Watch the video below:
5 Democratic Senators — Sens. Michael Bennet (Colo.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Martin Heinrich (N.M.), Tim Kaine (Va.) and Chris Van Hollen (Md.) — kneel as Senate Democrats hold moment of silence. https://t.co/otHljvtzyY pic.twitter.com/4RS4iPSImG
— The Hill (@thehill) June 4, 2020
Thousands of people flocked to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday for Floyd’s memorial service. It was one of four services scheduled for Floyd. His funeral will be on Tuesday in Houston.
Chauvin’s charges are being increased by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to second-degree murder, and the three others involved are being charged with aiding and abetting murder, as IJR reported.