Reverend Al Sharpton delivers rousing speech at George Floyd's funeral: This was not just a tragedy, it was a crime

Reverend Al Sharpton has given a rousing speech at the funeral of George Floyd in Houston, Texas, saying his death was “not just a tragedy, it was a crime”.

Delivering his eulogy, the civil rights activist addressed violence against African Americans, the legacy of slavery and Donald Trump's failure to address the issues that surround the police killing.

Rev Sharpton praised those who stepped out in protest following the death of Mr Floyd at the hands of a white officer in the US city of Minneapolis.

He specifically referenced the statue of the slave trader Edward Colston in the UK, which was torn down and thrown into Bristol Harbour by Black Lives Matter demonstrators.

“All over the world I’ve seen grandchildren of slave masters tearing down slave master statues,” he told mourners gathered on Tuesday.

The Rev Al Sharpton speaks during the funeral for George Floyd
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Rev Sharpton added: "All over the world, George, they're marching with your name.

"You've touched the world in South Africa, you've touched the world in England, you've touched every one of the 50 states. Even in a pandemic, people are walking out in the streets."

Rev Sharpton also criticised President Trump for his silence on the issues behind police violence.

He said: "How are you going to scare a bad cop if bad cops don't go to jail? Who taught these cops that they can do this to George?

"When they have the highest level of government that excuses it. When some kids wrongly start violence that this family don't condone and none of us do, the president talks about bringing in the military. But he has not said one word of 8 minutes and 46 seconds of police murder against George Floyd."

George Floyd funeral in Houston - In pictures

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Family members and friends, most dressed all in white, stepped up to a microphone to describe Mr Floyd as a loving, larger than life personality who deserved justice after his death while in the custody of Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

A 46-year-old African American who grew up in Houston, Mr Floyd died after a white police officer pinned him with a knee to the neck for 8 minutes 46 seconds.

The policeman, Derek Chauvin, 44, has been charged with second-degree murder and three others with aiding and abetting.

Mr Floyd's death was captured in excruciating detail on a bystander's video, with his words "I can't breathe" shocking the world and triggering a wave of demonstrations against racism and police brutality against minorities.

His niece Brooke Williams said in a eulogy that drew applause inside the Fountain of Praise Church: “I can breathe. And as long as I am breathing, justice will be served.”

About 500 people were invited to the funeral, which followed memorial services last week in Minneapolis and Raeford, the North Carolina town where Mr Floyd was born.

"This is a home-going celebration," Reverend Mia Wright, co-pastor at the church, told mourners. Banners featured pop art illustrations of Mr Floyd wearing a baseball cap with a halo above it.

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