George Floyd’s fiancée has said George would not want protesters responding to his death with anger and hatred, but with grace.
Speaking with a local news outlet, a tearful Courtney Ross suggested her fiancé would not condone the violent and destructive riots that have taken place across Minneapolis in response to Floyd’s death.
“You can’t fight fire with fire,” Ms Ross said. “Everything just burns. And I’ve seen it all day today. People hate. They’re hating, they’re hating, they’re hating. They’re mad. And he would not want that. He wouldn’t!
“He wouldn’t, he would give grace. He would. I stand on that, that today he would still give grace to those people,” she said.
According to Christianity Today, Floyde moved to Minneapolis in 2018 for a discipleship program, which included a job placement. He spoke of breaking the cycle of violence he saw among young people and “used his influence to bring outside ministries to the area to do discipleship and outreach, particularly in the Cuney Homes housing project, locally known as ‘the Bricks.'”
The big homie #GeorgeFloyd was the definition of "Be the change you want to see." THIS is the man y'all murdered. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/D4MXHWUco8
— Corey Paul (@CoreyPaulMusic) May 27, 2020
Prior to his death, Floyd posted to social media lamenting the state of the young generation, which he described as “clearly lost.”
“You youngsters just going around just bustin’ guns in crowds, kids getting killed. You know, and it’s clearly the generation after us that’s so lost, man… Hey man, come on home, man. One day, it’s going to be you and God. You’re going up, or you’re going down.”
After days of violent protests, an army of volunteers took to the streets in Minneapolis on Saturday to help clear the damaged caused by the riots.
An ARMY of volunteers in Minneapolis helping neighbors clean up business damage. “Bring a broom” they were told. What a sight. pic.twitter.com/OjzXpEXCLk
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) May 30, 2020
According to Fox News, one woman said she saw information on social media calling for volunteers, asking them to “bring a broom.”
More than 170 businesses in St Paul, Minneapolis have been damaged or looted and dozens of fires set, according to police.
President Trump tweeted today, urging Liberal Governors and Mayors to do more to end the violence.
“Crossing State lines to incite violence is a FEDERAL CRIME!” he said. “Liberal Governors and Mayors must get MUCH tougher or the Federal Government will step in and do what has to be done, and that includes using the unlimited power of our Military and many arrests. Thank you!
The President went on to say, “80% of the RIOTERS in Minneapolis last night were from OUT OF STATE. They are harming businesses (especially African American small businesses), homes, and the community of good, hardworking Minneapolis residents who want peace, equality, and to provide for their families.”
President Trump said the “organized groups” of rioters have nothing to do with George Floyd.
