Topline
Darnella Frazier, whose viral video of George Floyd’s murder helped sparked a national reckoning on race and police brutality and contradicted the Minneapolis Police Department’s initial description of his death, was lauded nationwide following the conviction of former officer Derek Chauvin on murder charges Tuesday.
Key Facts
During his remarks to the nation Tuesday, President Joe Biden referred to Frazier as a “brave young woman.”
Oprah Winfrey said she was “grateful for Darnella Frazier,” and actress Kerry Washington called Frazier a “hero,” adding “her bravery in that moment must never be forgotten.”
Earlier this week, Minneapolis Gov. Tim Walz declared Frazier’s video “is maybe the only reason Derek Chauvin will go to prison.”
Valerie Jarrett, who served as senior advisor to President Barack Obama, said, “history should remember” Frazier for her strength and composure, as “without her video, there may never have been justice.”
New York City mayoral candidate Ray McGuire stated that without Frazier’s bravery, which “prioritized George Floyd’s humanity over her own safety, this verdict may not have been possible.”
“Darnella Frazier changed the world,” tweeted CBS News correspondent Wesley Lowery.
Key Background:
Floyd was killed May 25, 2020, after Chauvin pressed his knee onto the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man in handcuffs who was lying face down, for almost ten minutes. The official statement released by the Minneapolis Police Department that evening asserted Floyd “physically resisted officers” and that “officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress.” The release affirmed Floyd died at a local hospital that night, adding “at no time were weapons of any type used by anyone involved in this incident” and that “no officers were injured.” Frazier, a 17-year-old high school senior at the time, had taken her 9-year-old cousin to get some snacks at Cup Foods when they happened upon the scene. “I see a man on the ground, and I see a cop kneeling down on him,” Frazier testified in court last month. She said Floyd appeared “terrified, scared” and was “begging for his life.” The teenager, who was the target of some backlash on social media, revealed she’s dealt with anxiety over the past year due to the incident. “It’s been nights I stayed up apologizing and apologizing to George Floyd for not doing more and not physically interacting and not saving his life,” she said in her testimony. On Tuesday night, after Chauvin was found guilty, Frazier posted on Facebook that she “just cried so hard,” adding, “THANK YOU GOD… justice has been served.”
Tangent:
Last December, the human rights organization PEN America honored Frazier. Director Spike Lee presented her with the 2020 PEN/Benenson Courage Award. “With nothing more than a cell phone and sheer guts, Darnella changed the course of history in this country, sparking a bold movement demanding an end to systemic anti-Black racism and violence at the hands of police,” said PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel.
Crucial Quote:
“When I look at George Floyd, I look at my dad, I look at my brothers, I look at my cousins, my uncles, because they’re all Black,” said Frazier.
Big Number:
$628,982. That’s the amount of money that has been raised, as of Wednesday morning, for Frazier via a GoFundMe page organized on her behalf.
Further Reading:
Investigative Update on Critical Incident (MPD)
Justice Department To Launch Sweeping Investigation Of Minneapolis Police (Forbes)
Darnella Frazier, the teenager who filmed George Floyd’s arrest, testifies at the trial (NYT)
