The moon is seen behind the Fountain of Praise church where services will be held for George Floyd on June 8, 2020 in Houston Texas. – Democrats vowed June 7, 2020 to suppress laws to combat systemic racism in US law enforcement when the battle for change triggered by police assassination of George Floyd began to shift from the streets into the political sphere. Warnings continued throughout the country Sunday – including in Washington, New York and Winter Park, Florida – when protesters began to focus their initial anger over Floyd’s unarmed death into demands for police reform and social justice. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP) (Photo by JOHANNES EISELE / AFP via Getty Images) Johannes Eisele / AFP / Getty Images
Houston officials expect thousands of mourners during today’s visit to George Floyd, whose death in Minneapolis police custody has sparked protests throughout the United States and throughout the world.
The community is invited to attend the visit from noon to 6 pm. local time, La’Torria Lemon, a spokesman for the funeral home, said.
“We anticipate nearly 10,000 and that is what we have prepared,” he said.
To comply with the rules of social distance, 15 guests at a time will be allowed in The Fountain of Praise. Guests will be allowed to stay inside no more than 10 minutes after seeing the body. Guests must wear masks and gloves, and casual clothing is permitted.
Floyd’s connection to Houston: Floyd, 46, grew up in the city’s Third Neighborhood. He graduated from Jack Yates Middle School in 1992, where he helped the soccer team win a state title. He also plays basketball there, Lemon said.
Before moving to Minneapolis, Floyd was famous in the Houston music world, knocking with a group called Screwed Up Clik (SUC).
Floyd’s body was already in Houston, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.
“#GeorgeFloyd and his family are safe in Houston,” he tweeted Sunday.
It was “a big problem for our city to bring it home,” Acevedo said. “He is famous, he is known by many of our officers. We want to ensure that the family is safe, that the movement is safe. We want to make sure the family knows that we are here for them and we support them at this time.”
