Cologne (SID) – The family of the American George Floyd, who was killed in a brutal police operation, will be in the stadium for the Minnesota Vikings’ first game of the season in the National Football League (NFL). The Minneapolis franchise announced on Friday. Before the game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday (7:00 pm CEST) the family will be honored, before the unofficial anthem of the blacks “Lift Every Voice And Sing” will be played.
Black Floyd was killed in a police operation in Minneapolis in May after an officer kneeled on the 46-year-old’s neck for several minutes. He did not let go of Floyd even when he declared, visibly struggling for consciousness, that he could not breathe. The death had sparked protests across the United States and contributed significantly to the development of the Black Lives Matter movement.
In the months that followed, the NFL under Commissioner Roger Goodell had given up its conservative stance and clearly positioned itself against racism and police violence. Players are now allowed to get down on their knees to watch the national anthem or even stay in the dressing room before the game. In addition, various messages such as “End Racism” or “It takes all of us” are disseminated in various ways – for example in the end zones of the playing fields or on players’ helmets.
–
