Forensic experts admit George Floyd's death as murder: famous musicians support protests

According to the official autopsy of George Floyd, who died while being detained by police in Minneapolis, his death was caused by mechanical asphyxia and should be considered violent. Writes about it with the BBC.

Photo: Shutterstock

Earlier, an independent forensic examination conducted at the request of Floyd's relatives came to a similar conclusion.

The official report lists the cause of death as “cardiac arrest complicated by police restraint, limited mobility and neck compression.”

It also provides evidence of heart disease and drug use shortly before death.

George Floyd died after the policemen threw him to the ground during his arrest, handcuffed him, and one of them held him motionless for several minutes, pressing his knee on his neck, despite the words of Floyd that he was suffocating.

According to reports, the owner of a local store called the police, saying that Floyd left, having paid with a fake bill.

The video, in which a white policeman presses his knee on the neck of a 46-year-old African-American, despite the words that he has nothing to breathe, provoked protests that resulted in riots and acts of violence in dozens of American cities.

Pathologists hired by the Floyd family, Michael Beiden and Alicia Wilson, said that Floyd died at the place of detention as a result of the cessation of blood flow to the brain caused by squeezing the carotid artery and pressure on his back, which prevented him from breathing.

“I believe the cause of death was asphyxia due to compression of the neck, which could cut off oxygen supply to the brain, and compression of the back, which prevented breathing,” said Michael Baden.

On the subject: A Russian-speaking resident of Minnesota drove a truck into a crowd of protesters: what is known about him

Floyd's family lawyer demanded that three more police officers, also present at the time of death, be charged with murder. They were fired from the police, but no charges were brought against them.

Police officer Derek Chauvin, from whose actions Floyd died, is accused of third-degree murder. Meanwhile, protests in the United States do not subside.

In Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, activists clash with police officers armed with tear gas and capsules with pepper solution.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said at a press conference that the situation in the city calmed somewhat after the introduction of curfews.

“I don’t want to say it’s over, but there is a sense of optimism returning,” he said. “For the second night we have order on the streets, the week has been very difficult.”

Protests are taking place in more than 75 cities, in some demonstrations are peaceful, in others protesters burn buildings and rob shops.

President Donald Trump on Monday again made a series of harsh statements about the protesters.

The CBS television channel received a recording of Trump's video conference with state governors. “You have to dominate. If you're not dominant, you're wasting your time,” Trump says in the video.

White House spokeswoman Kaylee Mackenney at a news conference on Monday said the president’s words were taken out of context.

Also on the record, Trump repeats that he considers the organizers of the riots of the left radicals. He made similar statements earlier.

By evening, hundreds of protesters again took to the streets on the east coast of the United States, including near the congress building in Washington.

In Philadelphia, dozens of people were detained. Police used tear gas against protesters who blocked the freeway.

Thousands of people also marched in protests in New York, Baltimore and Raleigh. It is not clear whether the protesters intend to abide by the curfew.

On the subject: The situation in New York is heating up: among the thousands arrested during the protests - the daughter of Bill de Blasio

In Miami, Monday, June 1, curfew was canceled in the evening. In Minneapolis, where a wave of protests began, the curfew remains in effect, but begins later.

In Washington, where local elections are held on Tuesday, curfew starts at 19:00. New York authorities also imposed a curfew from 23:00 to 05:00, after many stores in Manhattan were crushed.

Curfews are imposed in many cities, from Los Angeles to Philadelphia. Arizona State Governor has declared a lockdown for at least one week.

Musicians Jamil Thomas and Brianna Agyemang supported the protests in the United States and initiated the termination of all business operations by musicians. They called this initiative Blackout Tuesday, writes CNN.

Artists such as the Rolling Stones, Quincy Jones and Billy Elish agreed to support Blackout Tuesday. A number of artists canceled online performances or fan events in response. Labels are also expected to participate, including Def Jam Recordings, Interscope, Sony Music, Columbia Records and others.

“We will not continue to conduct business as usual without regard for Black lives,” Thomas and Agyemang wrote. “Tuesday, June 2, will disrupt the work week.”

How it will look will depend on the company to the company and from person to person. But those involved are advised to opt out of emails, music releases, and any other normal business operations.

Chris McCarthy, president of ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth Group, told employees the company "will focus on work and society."

“We will not hold any meetings or conduct any business - we will stand in solidarity with our African American colleagues,” he wrote.

ViacomCBS networks, including MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and Pop, will go dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in honor of Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement "and other victims of racism," McCarthy wrote.

Organizers also encourage donations for families of victims. They also provided a list of anti-racist resources.

“This is not just a 24-hour initiative,” Thomas and Agyemang added. “We will be involved in this fight for a long time.”

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• The protest was in memory of George Floyd, an African American from Minneapolis who died after a Minneapolis police officer strangled him with a knee. Officer Derek Chauvin was fired and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter; three other officers also lost their jobs. Protests and riots subsequently eruptedand in Minneapolis and across the country.
• The Minnesota state governor said protests over the death of African-American George Floyd, spanning dozens of US cities, are already not related to murder, but provoked by visiting radicals.
• Protests in Minneapolis sharply intensified in the evening of May 27when city police took action in response to looted and burned shops in the city, as well as fatal shooting at a protest venue.
• May 31 truck drove into a crowd of protesters in Minneapolis (Minnesota). At the wheel of a car was a citizen of the United States, presumably of Ukrainian origin, Bogdan Vechirko.
• About 40 cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, Detroit, and Philadelphia, banned street demonstrations after dark. Texas and Virginia Governors introduced a state of emergency.
• In connection with protests in US cities embassies of Ukraine and Russia asked their citizenslocated in the United States, maintain order and avoid crowds wherever possible and comply with security measures.
• June 1, Donald Trump enacted the law of 1807, allowing him send riot troops in connection with the death of George Floyd.

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