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WATCH: The Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a powerful eulogy at the funeral for George Floyd in Houston, Texas on Tuesday, calling for social justice in the United States – Jun 9, 2020
George Floyd, a Black man who died after being held under the knee of a white police officer last month, was laid to rest on Tuesday.
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The four-hour service took place at Houston‘s Fountain of Praise church and saw a mass of mourners crying, embracing and remembering the man whose death spurred global protests in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
Floyd, 46, was hailed by civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton as “an ordinary brother” transformed by fate into the “cornerstone of a movement,” Reuters reports.
The father of five was held down by the knee of a white police officer. Derek Chauvin, 44, has been fired and charged in Floyd’s death.
In heart-wrenching video footage of Floyd’s encounter with police, he can be heard crying out for his mother and saying: “I can’t breathe.”
Those three words, seen printed on the coronavirus face masks of mourners and protesters alike, have become a unifying phrase for those protesting police brutality against Black people across the world.
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Many of Floyd’s family members and loved ones spoke through tears at the funeral, where hundreds of people were in attendance.
“I can breathe,” his niece, Brooklyn Williams, said during the live broadcast. “And as long as I’m breathing, justice will be served.
“This is not just a murder, but a hate crime.”
The casket is polished before the funeral for George Floyd on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston.
Godofredo A. Vsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool
Pallbearers bring the coffin into The Fountain of Praise church in Houston for the funeral for George Floyd on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
Godofredo A. Vsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool
Pallbearers bring the coffin into The Fountain of Praise church in Houston for the funeral for George Floyd on Tuesday, June 9, 2020.
Godofredo A. Vsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool
The casket of George Floyd is placed in the chapel during a funeral service for Floyd at the Fountain of Praise church, Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Members of the Texas Southern University police department pause during a funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Mourners pause by the casket of George Floyd during a funeral service for Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Mourners pause by the casket of George Floyd during a funeral service for Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Former Houston Mayor Annise Parker pauses by the casket of George Floyd during a funeral service for Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church, Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Family and guests attend the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Family and guests attend the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Roxie Washington holds Gianna Floyd, the daughter of George Floyd as they attend the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
The Rev. Al Sharpton speaks during a funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden speaks via video link as family and guests attend the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Sister of George Floyd, Zsa Zsa Floyd, both arms raised, attend the funeral service for Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
The family of George Floyd handles items given to them by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner during the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Actor Jamie Foxx, right, speaks with Rodney Floyd during the funeral service for George Floyd at The Fountain of Praise church Tuesday, June 9, 2020, in Houston.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
LaTonya Floyd speaks during the funeral for her brother, George Floyd, on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston.
Godofredo A. Vsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool
Philonise Floyd, left, puts his arm around his sister LaTonya Floyd as the family speaks during the funeral for George Floyd on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston.
Godofredo A. Vsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool
Pallbearers recess out of the church with the casket following the funeral for George Floyd on Tuesday, June 9, 2020, at The Fountain of Praise church in Houston.
Godofredo A. Vsquez/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool