I can't breathe

These are the last words of George Floyd, a 46-year-old man who died as a US police officer pinned him down, kneeling on his neck for almost nine minutes:

"It's my face man

I didn't do nothing serious man

please

please I can't breathe

please man

please somebody

please man

I can't breathe

please

(inaudible)

man can't breathe, my face

just get up

I can't breathe

lease, a knee on my neck

I can't breathe

shit

I will

I can't move

mama

I can't

my knee

my neck

I'm through

I'm claustrophobic

my stomach hurt

my neck hurts

everything hurts

some water or something

please

I can't breathe officer

don't kill me

they're gonna kill me, man

come on man

I cannot breathe

they're gonna kill me

I can't breathe

please sir

please

please I can't breathe"

Then his eyes shut and the pleas stop. George Floyd was pronounced dead shortly after.

Right now, we have a choice. This can just be one more tragic death at the hands of US police -- or the moment for change.

We are a movement of more than 60 million people -- when we all speak up, we are deafening. So let's raise our voices to join everyone calling for an end to these racist killings, and push those in power to do the same.

Sign this open letter with one click, and when it's massive, Avaaz will publish it in major US newspapers and websites around the world. Let it be an anthem to end the killing and honour all those we've already lost.

Add your name

https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/george_floyd_loc/?asGOYkb&post_action=1&cid=42220&lang=en&_checksum=f36409ded5b346448a228472abf6857ee8f503a4fffd8ea44ff9c51a98731bbc

As people of the world, we grieve the senseless loss of another life at the hands of US police.

We stand in community with everyone who is hurting.

These brutal killings must end. Each is a wound to the heart of our humanity and a shameful, indelible mark on that great flag of the United States of America.

Racism thrives in the company of silence -- so we will not stay quiet. Racism is a problem that belongs to us all. It is our fight.

But we cannot allow that fight to become hatred, for then we are no wiser than those whose hearts we seek to change. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

It is in this spirit that we call on all those in power to act NOW, and hold President Trump and US state and local governments accountable to:

•Ensure all officers involved in the killing of George Floyd face legal due process,

•Expel and prosecute officers for even one instance of excessive force or the failure to intervene when excessive force is used,

•Ensure every police killing is independently and transparently investigated.

We pledge to do our part, meeting the fear, anger, and ignorance of racism with all the hope, love, and strength of our humanity.

Rest in Power, George Floyd.

It will not be in vain.

Add your name

With endless hope,

Mike, Marie, Meetali, Sarah, Andrew, Ricken, Bert and the whole team at Avaaz.

More information:

Of Course There Are Protests. The State Is Failing Black People. (New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/29/opinion/george-floyd-minneapolis.html

George Floyd killing: sister says officers should face murder charge as protests grow (The Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/27/george-floyd-sister-police-officers-should-be-charged-with-murder