Family members of George Floyd gave a press conference on Tuesday (May 25), after meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the one-year anniversary of Floyd’s murder. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, along with rapper Lil Baby joined the family during the conference, in which they revealed how their meeting with Biden went. Crump specifically spoke about the President’s words regarding the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which has not been passed by Congress.
“The president and the vice president met with the family for over an hour,” Crump shared. “I know the president was very personal because he got to know this family over the years, and he wanted to check on them on today of all days, to see how they were doing, to reiterate that [the White House] are still doing everything to make sure that [Floyd’s] legacy is respected,” Crump continued, adding that the family was planning to meet with Senators about the bill.
President Biden, Crump said, “is ready to sign” the George Floyd Justice in Police Act “any day.” “He said that he doesn’t want to sign a bill that doesn’t have substance and meaning so he is going to be patient to make sure it’s the right bill, not a rushed bill.”
Philonse Floyd took to the podium and shared remarks about his brother, and what this day means to the family.
“This was his day,” Philonse said, referring to his brother, adding that meeting with Biden and Harris was “great.” “He’s a genuine guy. They always speak from the heart and it’s a pleasure just to be able to have the chance to meet with them,” Floyd said. “We’re just thankful for what’s going on and we want this George Floyd [Justice In] Policing Act passed in the future.”
Rodney Floyd, George’s other brother, said that he was grateful that Biden and Harris “showed great concern” for the family’s well-being. Terrence Floyd, another brother of George Floyd, said being at the White House today was “an honor.” “Being here today is an honor. To meet with the President and the Vice President and for them to show their concern to our family and for them actually to give an ear to our concerns and how we feel about the situation,” Terrence said, stating that the conversation was “productive.” “Thank you everybody for the love,” he concluded.
Chris Stewart, one of the family’s attorneys, called on lawmakers both Republicans and Democrats to come together and get the Act passed.
Crump said later that the blood of victims of police brutality, including George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, is on this legislation. He also called the name of Jimmie Lee Jackson, a young Black man who was killed during a march in Alabama, whose murder many point to as the ignition for the movement to get the Voting Rights Act passed.
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