George Floyd

George Floyd was a 46-year-old African American man whose tragic death on May 25, 2020, became a pivotal moment in the global fight against racial injustice and police brutality. Born on October 14, 1973, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Floyd grew up in Houston, Texas, where he was known for his involvement in local communities, including music, sports, and religious activities. In search of better opportunities, he later moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he worked in security and other jobs to support his family.

On May 25, 2020, Floyd was arrested by the Minneapolis Police Department on suspicion of using a counterfeit $20 bill. The arrest escalated when police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck for over nine minutes, even as Floyd repeatedly pleaded, "I can’t breathe." The horrific incident, captured on video by a bystander, went viral and sparked global outrage, leading to widespread protests and uprisings across the United States and around the world. The video’s dissemination triggered the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, drawing attention to systemic racism, police violence, and social inequalities faced by Black communities.

The protests following Floyd's death were marked by both peaceful demonstrations and instances of civil unrest. Many activists and community leaders called for police reform, including the reduction of police budgets, demilitarization of law enforcement, the implementation of stricter accountability measures, and broader criminal justice reform. Floyd's death also catalyzed conversations about racial disparities in education, healthcare, housing, and employment.

In the legal aftermath, Derek Chauvin was arrested and charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. In April 2021, he was found guilty on all counts, marking a rare instance of a police officer being held accountable for the death of an unarmed Black person. The verdict was seen as a significant step toward justice, though many activists emphasized that it was only one part of a broader struggle against systemic racism and the need for lasting reforms.

In June 2020, BOOM fact-checked a viral video falsely attributed to the protests, which claimed to show looting during the demonstrations.

BOOM’s investigation revealed that the video was actually from a 2016 gun store heist in Houston, Texas, having no connection to the 2020 protests.