BEAUMONT, Texas — The Diocese of Beaumont has issued a statement regarding the death of George Floyd, the latest black man who has died at the hands of police while in custody.
“No matter the color of the officer or the person being arrested, the action is inhumane. But, because the police officer was white and Mr. Floyd was black, it raises once again the ugliness of racism in our country- our country’s original sin,” Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory the Bishop of Beaumont said.
The former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on Floyd’s neck was charged with third degree murder and manslaughter on Friday afternoon, May 29, 2020.
Crowds across the nation have been gathering to protest following the death of an unarmed black man in custody. Some gatherings, such as the Beaumont NAACP Chapter's rally at Martin Luther King Jr. park in Beaumont, have been peaceful.
People in Minneapolis, however, are outraged. Hundreds have been protesting for three consecutive days following the death of Floyd. Fires, looting and vandalism has been prevalent in the city, which has caused the local government to call in the National Guard.
“Action is needed now to counteract racism and injustice, but violence and looting and burning buildings are not the actions to be taken,” Bishop Guillory said.
The counteraction Bishop Guillory suggests, “should be a courageous call for justice, community prayer that calls us together in our diversity, and honest dialogue so that we can have a more just society.”
The Bishop ended the statement offering his prayers to the friends and family members of Floyd and the police officers involved in his death.
“Know each of you and our entire nation remain in my prayers.”
