remembering George Floyd
Mural created by Detour and Hiero Viega
Tuesday, May 25th marks the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd.
This last year has been marked by global outrage, ongoing protests, calls for justice, and outpourings of grief. As we approach this marking moment, we invite you to pause and remember and recommit to the work toward justice.
In the spirit of being led by leaders of color who are at the heart of this work,
here are three invitations for you to consider in the upcoming weeks.
An Evening at George Floyd Square
At the intersection of 38th and Chicago, people come to grieve, remember, and be part of a larger story. If you want to bring an offering, experience the memorial, or learn more about the George Floyd Global Memorial - a small group of Upper Roomers will be meeting there on June 3rd at 7pm. Jeanelle Austin - founder of the Racial Agency Initiative will be facilitating this time. Click here for more information about Jeanelle or her work.
Rise & Remember
The George Floyd Global Memorial and the community at George Floyd Square will host a celebration at 38th and Chicago on May 25th from 1-9pm to commemorate the 1st Anniversary of the death of George Floyd and the community that emerged in the wake of the tragedy. This free event centers the family and friends of George "Perry" Floyd Jr., Minnesota families impacted by injustice, and the people who’ve preserved the Memorial for 12 months.
Healing Our City
After the murder of George Floyd, in response to communities experiencing deep and multi-layered trauma, Don and Sondra Samuels created 30 Days of Silent Prayer. In the weeks leading up to the trial of Derek Chauvin, they launched the Healing Our City Virtual Prayer Tent, an online version of the community prayer tent they hosted the previous summer. They, alongside other community leaders, hold space daily at 8am via Zoom for a 20-minute prayer experience which begins with a timely reflection by a different religious/spiritual leader. This Virtual Prayer Tent will continue until the anniversary of George Floyd’s death.