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The George Floyd memorial at his place of death is strewn with flowers, notes, and a mural of his face and name.

8 Minutes, 46 Seconds

May 31, 2021
·
by

Trigger warning

The New York Times report I’m watching begins with footage from a security camera in front of a restaurant. Two officers approach George Floyd’s parked vehicle. Two passengers reluctantly emerge, stand on the sidewalk. The call for police from the convenience store on the other side of the street alleged that Floyd was passing a counterfeit bill to buy cigarettes, that he seemed drunk. Yet, when he squeezes out of his SUV in his black tank top, he doesn’t resist handcuffs and slumps against the wall of the building. I notice a couple walk by spooning frozen yogurt out of paper cups, a woman with a fuschia hijab, a city bus passes, and people on a bicycle built for two cruise down the street. And I think to myself that this incendiary moment must have seemed quite ordinary in this urban neighborhood. A backup patrol car arrives, tickets are written, George Floyd is taken across the street to the second patrol car. He’s a brawny man, looking very much like the bouncer he was until he recently lost his job. Some officers posture— to me, a sign that they are fearful of Floyd and the gathering crowd. It has been close to a year since this took place, and I’ve only seen snippets, reluctant to subject myself to the blunt force of the entire video. But now, I feel like I must, like it’s a civic duty. There are things I didn’t know. According to the Times reporter, Floyd is already showing signs of distress before he’s on the ground. He didn’t want to get into the police car. That’s when Chauvin shoves him on the ground and puts a knee on his neck, orders him, Get up and get in the car. Floyd strains, I will, I can’t move. Two others hold him down— one on his torso and one on his legs. Mind you, his hands are cuffed behind his back and he’s face down in the asphalt. The fourth officer, Chauvin’s partner, makes sure no one interferes. Bystanders have begun filming. Bro, he’s not moving. Bro, get off of his neck. He’s human, bro. We hear George repeat I can’t breathe— 16 times. He bawls for his mama. As I am recounting this, I realize my right foot is tapping on the floor, my mouth is dry. Then he’s still. But the knee stays on his neck. Until EMTs insist Chauvin get off. It takes at least four men to heave George’s limp body onto a stretcher.

 

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Jodi Hottel’s most recent chapbook is Out of the Ashes from Pandemonium Press. Her previous chapbooks are Voyeur from WordTech Press in 2017 and Heart Mountain, winner of the 2012 Blue Light Press Poetry Prize. Jodi is currently sheltering in place in Santa Rosa, CA.

Photo by Priscilla Gyamfi.

________

8 minutes 46 seconds
[8m46s]

A year after George Floyd’s murder, we can’t stop before we have the ‘presence of justice’
[Seattle Times]

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