The viralization of a video of a college party in Peru, with a cake depicting Floyd’s face and mockery of his death, caused outrage and will have legal consequences.
PERU.- Peru’s Ministry of Culture has announced that it will formally denounce a group of university students who were recorded at a party mocking the death of US citizen George Floyd. The video of this act has generated widespread rejection on social media and local media, as the images show the young people at a party that includes a cake with Floyd’s image, while one of them sings the phrase “I can’t breathe,” words that Floyd expressed during his murder in 2020.
Although the events in the video occurred two years ago, it was only a few days ago that it went viral and caused strong international condemnation.
The murder of George Floyd and its global impact
George Floyd, an African-American man from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin, who kept his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, showing no mercy as the man begged for his life.
Floyd, a truck driver and bar bouncer, died of suffocation in the face of Chauvin’s indifference, an act that was recorded and broadcast around the world. This cruel incident sparked the Black Lives Matter movement, a global campaign against structural racism and police abuse, which generated massive protests and reflections on racial inequality in numerous countries.
However, this same event also provoked a reaction from far-right groups, who not only dismissed the seriousness of Floyd’s murder, but even celebrated his death. The birthday of Daniel Injoque Zugbi, the student who was the protagonist of the controversy at PUCP, is part of this current of thought, which has unleashed even more indignation in public opinion.
Ministry of Culture will report them to the Prosecutor’s Office
In response to the viral video, the Ministry of Culture recalled that the Peruvian Constitution prohibits and punishes ethnic-racial discrimination, which is classified as a crime in Article 323 of the Penal Code. In an official statement, the institution announced that it has initiated the process to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office against those responsible for this act, demanding that it be investigated and punished in accordance with the law.
“We strongly reject the racist acts carried out by a group of university students from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP),” the Ministry of Culture stated in its official statement.
VIDEO: This is how they mocked the death of African-American George Floyd
The event that sparked outrage occurred during a party organized by PUCP students. In the images shared on social media, a cake decorated with a photograph of George Floyd can be seen, while attendees mocked him by imitating his last words before he was killed in 2020, a case that sparked global protests against racism and police brutality.
Law students at a Catholic university in Peru being disgustingly racist, mocking George Floyd’s death. I don’t know why I’m not surprised. pic.twitter.com/Bgdy3KQ4E0
— . (@CaracolaEnFlor) September 18, 2024
In response to the dissemination of this video, the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru issued a statement strongly condemning the displays of hatred and racism. In addition, the Faculty of Law, where the suspects study, filed a complaint with the university’s disciplinary body to initiate the corresponding proceedings.
Ministry of Culture asks to report these cases
The Ministry of Culture called on the PUCP to take swift and decisive action, and requested a detailed report on the measures adopted to punish those responsible. The ministry also reminded citizens that any victim or witness of racism or ethnic-racial discrimination can report it through a free telephone line, which offers legal advice.
“If you are a victim or witness of cases of racism or discrimination, you can report it to our free hotline for legal advice,” the Ministry of Culture said.
Social impact and repercussion on networks
The video has sparked a wave of outrage, not only in Peru, but also internationally, where the case of George Floyd remains a symbol of the fight against racism and racial violence. Various public figures and Afro-descendant groups have expressed their rejection of this type of act, stressing the importance of fostering a culture of respect and empathy.
What’s next for those involved?
The complaint filed by the Ministry of Culture with the Public Prosecutor’s Office could lead to legal sanctions for the students involved. At the same time, the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru will have to carry out an internal investigation to determine the applicable disciplinary measures, which could include the suspension or expulsion of those responsible.
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