More than ten million people have signed an online petition demanding justice for George Floyd, making it the fastest-growing and biggest petition in the platform’s history.
The petition calls for the police officers involved in George Floyd’s death to be arrested and charged.
Dad-of-two George Floyd died after a white officer knelt on his neck for several minutes in Minneapolis last Monday.
The 46-year-old was being arrested after he allegedly tried to use a fake $20 bill at a corner shop, while police claim he was “under the influence” in the driver’s seat of a car.
A video of the incident shows Mr Floyd begging: “Please, I can’t breathe” and “Don’t kill me”.
The four officers involved in Mr Floyd’s death were fired from the police force last week, but only Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Mr Floyd’s neck, has so far been charged. Campaigners say far more needs to be done to secure justice.
The “Justice for George Floyd” petition has been widely shared on social media alongside calls to mobilise for protests and vigils around the world, suggestions for campaign groups to support and materials to increase understanding of racism and police brutality.
Kellen S who started the petition said: “Now we need to use this momentum to get the other three officers arrested and charged.
“I started the petition because everyone was talking about it. I just wanted to get someone’s attention so there could be justice for George. I would like to tell George’s family that I hope they are doing okay and hope that more justice will be served soon.”
The petition itself has been endorsed by dozens of celebrities including Beyonce and the Kardashians who have encouraged their followers to take action for George Floyd.
Kajal Odedra, UK Executive Director of Change.org, said: “‘Justice for George Floyd’ has become the fastest-growing and biggest petition in the history of Change.org. Over 400 other petitions have also been started to advocate for George Floyd.
Of the 10 million signers, over a million are from people in the UK and dozens of petitions have been started in the last few days to advocate for racial justice in the UK.
These staggering numbers show for themselves the strength of feeling people have about his death and the urgency of tackling racism and police brutality not only in America but here in the UK too.
You can sign the petition here.
