Community gatherings in Houston and Minneapolis honor George Floyd's memory, marking five years since his murder by police. Despite initial progress in addressing systemic racism and police brutality, recent policy shifts threaten to roll back reform efforts, with many Americans reporting little change in the plight of Black individuals since Floyd's death.
Five Years Later: Remembering George Floyd Amidst Police Reform Struggles

Five Years Later: Remembering George Floyd Amidst Police Reform Struggles
As Americans commemorate the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's death, his legacy persists amid ongoing challenges in police reform and racial justice.
Family and community members across the United States gathered over the weekend to pay homage to George Floyd on the fifth anniversary of his tragic death at the hands of police. Floyd's family held a memorial event in Houston, Texas, near his gravesite, while Minneapolis commemorated his life with several activities including a morning church service, a candlelight vigil, and an evening gospel concert. Rev. Al Sharpton led the Houston ceremony, emphasizing the continued fight for justice.
Floyd’s death in May 2020 at the hands of now-imprisoned officer Derek Chauvin sparked a nationwide movement against systemic racism and police brutality, with many considering it a watershed moment in America’s reckoning with these issues. Floyd's aunt, Angela Harrelson, remarked at the Rise and Remember Festival, saying, "Now is the time for the people to rise up and continue the good work we started."
Despite the initial momentum for reform following Floyd’s death, the recent political climate has seen attempts to roll back police reform measures. The Biden administration had initiated investigations into several police departments for systemic misconduct, leading to agreements that included oversight and accountability measures. However, the Trump administration has criticized these findings, alleging they were based on incomplete data. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed commitment to abide by the consent decree amid these changes.
As various murals honoring Floyd are being affected by urban development and activism metrics showing declining support for Black Lives Matter, there is a growing sense of conflict around the progress made since 2020. Recent surveys reveal that many Americans feel Black lives have seen little improvement in the last five years, raising concerns about the sustainability of social justice efforts.
As Americans gather to remember George Floyd, his legacy continues to serve as both a reminder of the struggle for racial justice and a call to action for deep-rooted change in policing practices.