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George Floyd tributes fill Twitter on anniversary of his murder

People turn to social media to remember Floyd and call for racial justice.

Carrie Mihalcik Former Managing Editor / News
Carrie was a managing editor at CNET focused on breaking and trending news. She'd been reporting and editing for more than a decade, including at the National Journal and Current TV.
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Carrie Mihalcik
2 min read
A memorial to George Floyd in Minneapolis

Flowers, signs and balloons at a memorial to George Floyd near the spot where he was killed by police in Minneapolis. 

 Kerem Yucel/Getty Images

One year ago today, George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis. His death sparked protests against police brutality and galvanized a racial justice movement in the US. On Tuesday, many people are observing the anniversary by posting tributes on social media and calling for the passage of policing legislation bearing Floyd's name.

Floyd's family is expected to meet privately with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House on Tuesday. The family will also reportedly meet with lawmakers including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

In a tweet, Biden said the country is at a turning point. "It's been one year since George Floyd was murdered. In that time, George's family has shown extraordinary courage. Last month's conviction was a step towards justice -- but we cannot stop there," Biden tweeted. "We face an inflection point. We have to act."

Tributes to Floyd poured in on social media, trending on Twitter. The NAACP called for a moment of silence via Facebook, asking in its post that people "stop everything and take this moment to honor the life of George Floyd."

See also: How video of MLK, Rodney King and George Floyd changed our view of police

Tributes to George Floyd

Former President Barack Obama shared several tweets about Floyd on Tuesday, saying "if we can turn words into action and action into meaningful reform, we will, in the words of James Baldwin, 'cease fleeing from reality and begin to change it.'" Former First Lady Michelle Obama also posted tweets observing Floyd's death and sending love to his daughter and family. 

Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., said in a tweet that "before his name became a hashtag," Floyd was a "human being who mattered."

Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney who led the Floyd family's legal team, tweeted that Floyd's legacy will live forever. 

The National Football League shared a video on Twitter of players talking about Floyd's murder and the protests that followed. It also posted a message of solidarity, saying it will work alongside players to "build a more just society."

The National Basketball Association and Women's National Basketball Association, as well as several teams and players, also shared tributes to Floyd on Twitter. 

Oprah Winfrey said in a tweet, "A year ago today we didn't know his name, but now it's forever etched in our consciousness: #GeorgeFloyd." Actor Kerry Washington also shared a message on Twitter, encouraging people to "stay in the fight." 

Several US lawmakers shared tributes to Floyd on Twitter, including Sens. Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer and Cory Booker as well as Reps. Maxine Waters and Ilhan Omar.

"Today, we honor George Floyd's life and mourn with his family," Sanders wrote. "One year after his murder, we remain dedicated to rooting out systemic racism and police violence against people of color, and building a nation free of oppression that respects the human dignity of every person."

See also: 8 ways to support BLM and other organizations