On the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death, US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar said his murder should never be forgotten and neither should the urgent need to reform America’s criminal justice system.In a series of posts on social media, Omar, who represents Minnesota’s 5th congressional district, said, “It’s been five years since George Floyd’s murder. He should be alive today. No amount of grandstanding or rewriting history will change that fact.” She added, “On this day—and every day—we must commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice. That must include dismantling systemic racism and radically transforming our approach to criminal justice.”George Floyd was a 46-year-old Black man and was killed in Minneapolis in 2020 when white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. The killing, captured on a bystander’s phone, sparked worldwide protests against racial injustice and police brutality. Chauvin was later convicted of murder and sentenced to 22 years in prison.Omar’s message came as people across the country marked five years since George Floyd’s death. In Houston, where Floyd grew up, his family gathered near his gravesite. In Minneapolis, where he was killed, locals held a church service, a candlelight vigil, and a gospel concert at George Floyd Square, the street corner now named after him.In another post, Omar reflected on the wider impact of Floyd’s death. “His murder ignited urgent conversations about the state of our nation, the state of policing, and the state of our justice system — as well as who is entitled to justice,” she wrote. “And unfortunately, as we have seen every time there is a movement for the liberation of Black people, for equality, for justice, we see a backslide — a backlash — where things not only stop progressing, but where people are emboldened to express their racism publicly.”That backlash, she suggested, could be seen in recent efforts to undo police reforms and diversity programmes introduced in the wake of Floyd’s killing. In Minneapolis, reforms introduced after a federal investigation into police misconduct are under threat, as US President Donald Trump’s administration has questioned their legitimacy, calling the data used “flawed” and the agreements “handcuffing” local police. However, Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey insisted the city would fully comply with the new consent decree.Nationally, Trump has rolled back Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies across federal agencies and the military. In Washington DC, the Black Lives Matter Plaza has been removed. In Houston, a famous mural of Floyd was recently demolished as part of a building teardown.Omar also condemned those calling for Chauvin to be pardoned. “We are seeing unjust calls for Chauvin to be pardoned,” she wrote. “Regardless of any federal pardon, he still faces the state murder conviction and will remain in jail. He will always be known to the people of this country and the world as a murderer.”Her posts come as surveys show a drop in public belief that Floyd’s death led to lasting change. According to a recent Pew Research Center poll, 72% of Americans say little or no improvement has been made in the lives of Black people. Support for the Black Lives Matter movement has also declined by 15% since its peak in 2020.Floyd’s family and supporters have continued to honour his memory and push for lasting reform. “We still have a lot of work before we see true justice and liberation,” Omar said. “But today I’m thinking of George Floyd’s family as they continue to grieve his loss. May he forever rest in power.”
