Memorial events and marches planned today in recognition of Floyd, who has become a symbol in the fight for racial equality and police reform

The world remembers George Floyd today (May 25), which marks exactly one year since he was murdered at the hands of police in Minneapolis in the United States.

As the nation honored the life of Floyd with memorial events and marches, Floyd’s family and supporters said they have been encouraged by the progress made in the year since he was killed. From Dallas to Washington, DC, to Minneapolis, Floyd’s name is echoing across the country in recognition of a man who has become a symbol in the fight for racial equality and police reform.

Floyd’s family is marking a year since his death with a series of events, including the Saturday rally held alongside other victims of police killings, a day of action, and a candlelit vigil today, a year to the day he was killed.

Floyd’s family visiting President Biden

Several members of Floyd’s family, including Floyd’s daughter Gianna; Gianna’s mother, Roxie Washington; Floyd’s sister Bridgett Floyd; and his brother, Philonise Floyd, are now in Washington today to meet with President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other lawmakers.

The news comes as the US president has missed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act deadline, which he originally set for 25 May. Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes.

Chauvin has been convicted of murder for killing George by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes, a crime that prompted waves of protests in support of racial justice in the US and across the world. The jury swiftly and unanimously convicted Chauvin of all the charges he faced comprising second and third degree murder and manslaughter. Sentencing will take place next month and Chauvin could spend decades in jail.His lawyers have requested a new trial, but the motion is not likely to be granted. The other three police officers will come before the courts in August.

The former police officer has not yet been sentenced but faces up to 40 years in prison. The state attorney general, Keith Ellison, has requested the judge consider ‘aggravating factors’ when handing out a sentence, which requests “an upward sentencing departure”.

“Today I just felt a day of relief,” Floyd’s aunt Angela Harrelson told CNN. “The support that we have received, the love to get to this day. I am just overwhelmed with joy and hope and I feel like change is here.”