Racism, Inequality and Institutional Terrorism: The Origin of Mass Unrest in the United States

On Friday, May 29, Derek Chauvin, the policeman from Minneapolis (Minnesota, United States) who was seen on a video pressing his knee against George Floyd’s neck, was arrested, according to Public Security Commissioner John Harrington.

Chauvin had been fired along with three other officers involved in Floyd’s arrest and murder and it is unknown what charges they might face.

The murder of Floyd, an African-American citizen, occurred after he was arrested last Monday, the 25th, for alleged “ongoing fraud”. During the arrest, Chauvin pressed on the detainee’s neck with his knee for at least eight minutes, even though Floyd was handcuffed to the floor and complained that he could not breathe. Shortly thereafter, he was declared dead in a hospital.