At Local Rally Remembering George Floyd, Frustration Over Lack of Police Reform

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – One year after his death, George Floyd is being remembered in Charlotte and around the world, as activists continue to demand racial justice and an end to police brutality.

Floyd’s death, after former police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes, sparked weeks of protests.

“His death changed the scope of policing. It really did,” says Charlotte NAACP President Corine Mack.

Mack says Floyd’s death opened eyes.

“Because people began to see that when Black people complain about how we’re treated by police officers and law enforcement across the country, that this was not just some fear that had no substance. It was factual,” Mack says.

Dozens gathered in Marshall Park on Tuesday night for a rally in celebration of Floyd’s life.

But activists say despite months of protests and the conviction of Chauvin, not much has changed when it comes to police reform.

“I would have hoped that after all of the uprising and the community outrage nationally, worldwide, that we would have at least taken that first step,” says Rep. Alma Adams.

Adams attended Tuesday night’s rally.

She is a co-sponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which is hung up in Congress.

“I’m optimistic. I don’t believe that my members whether they are Democratic or Republican believe this is a partisan issue,” Adams says.

Young people at the rally are also pushing for change.

“It’s terrible that we have to be here for this type of occasion, but there’s been nothing but saying that we need change and that we need to spread love,” says CPCC student Tyler Jackson.

CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings saying police departments are working to change and embrace possible reforms.

“We’ve taken in the criticism, and we’ve used that criticism to make us even a better agency, a better department, and a better profession,” Jennings said on Tuesday.