Minneapolis city has agreed to pay $27 million to George Floyd family over his death. It is to settle a civil lawsuit from George Floyd’s family over the Black man’s death in police custody. 46-year-old Black man George Floyd, died in May 2020, as Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
The shocking incident was caught on camera by many and soon went viral across the globe. Floyd’s death sparked national protests over racial injustice and police brutality.
Floyd’s family filed the federal civil rights lawsuit in July against the city, Chauvin and three other officers. They all were charged in his death. The lawsuit alleged the officers violated Floyd’s rights when they restrained him. It added that the city allowed a culture of excessive force, racism and impunity to flourish in its police force.
The settlement includes a $500,000 contribution from Floyd`s family to the community at the Minneapolis intersection where Floyd died, which has been barricaded against police access by residents and is filled with flowers and other tributes to Floyd.
The trial of Chauvin, began earlier this week in Hennepin County`s district court. He was charged with murder and manslaughter. But the police officer has pleaded not guilty and said he properly followed his police training. The other three officers are due to go on trial later this year on charges of aiding and abetting Chauvin in Floyd`s death
Judge Peter Cahill has set aside about three weeks for jury selection in the high-profile case.