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George Perry Floyd Jr. was an African American man whose tragic death on May 25, 2020, sparked widespread outrage and protests against police brutality, particularly towards black individuals. He was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest prompted by suspicions that Floyd had used a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill. Derek Chauvin, one of the responding officers, knelt on Floyd's neck and back for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, leading to Floyd's death due to asphyxiation. His final words, "I can't breathe," became a rallying cry for justice.

Floyd was born on October 14, 1973, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and later moved to Houston, Texas, where he grew up playing football and basketball. He had a troubled past, with multiple convictions between 1997 and 2005, including a four-year prison sentence following a 2007 aggravated robbery charge that he accepted in a plea bargain. After his parole in 2013, Floyd became involved in his local religious community as a mentor and shared anti-violence messages on social media.

In 2014, Floyd relocated to the Minneapolis area, residing in St. Louis Park, a nearby suburb. He worked as a truck driver and also served as a bouncer. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to Floyd losing both of his jobs, adding to the difficulties he faced in his life.

Following his death, George Floyd's killing sparked a global movement advocating for racial justice and police reform, with protests taking place not only across the United States but also internationally. His legacy continues to inspire calls for systemic change and an end to racial discrimination in law enforcement and society at large.

Floyd had a modest upbringing in Houston's Third Ward, a predominantly African-American neighborhood known for its challenges with poverty and crime. His childhood was marked by typical struggles of inner-city life, yet he was remembered by friends and family as a friendly and affable person. In his youth, Floyd showed promise in sports, particularly football, and attended Jack Yates High School, where he graduated in 1993. His education beyond high school was limited, but he pursued various jobs and life experiences that shaped his character and interactions with others.

Floyd's adult life was marked by periods of both struggle and stability. He worked in various jobs, including as a truck driver and security guard, trying to make ends meet and support his family. His life was not without setbacks, including a period of incarceration, which he sought to move beyond upon his release. At the time of his death, Floyd was working as a security guard at a restaurant in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

George Floyd's legacy transcends his life and death. His killing on May 25, 2020, while in police custody, triggered widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice across the United States and around the world. The phrase "I can't breathe," which Floyd uttered multiple times while being restrained by police officers, became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement and a symbol of the urgent need for societal change.

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