Memories of George Floyd
Minnesota police have been under a microscope since the 2020 death of George Floyd, a case of police brutality that ignited protests across the nation. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights would later find that a great racial disparity exists in how police handle Black individuals from a simple stop and search to use of excessive force and arrests.
Crews and Azad’s family are hoping that his death will further help spark a change in police treatment of Black people in Minnesota in addition to the consequences they face after another Black life is taken and a family is left to grieve without transparency.
“We want an independent investigation into any police-related shooting or incident resulting in death going back 20 years,” Crews said. “We want police to carry professional personal liability insurance. They don’t want bad drivers on the road; we don’t want bad cops on the force.” A GoFundMe page has been made in order to support Azad’s daughter and his family with obtaining a lawyer.
Azad’s family and loved ones will meet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. CST Saturday to celebrate his life along the same shores where it ended.
Today would have been his 25th birthday.
Chrisleen Herard covers criminal justice for HUNewsService.com.
