Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Caring Causes: George Floyd Global Memorial Birthday Celebration

 The 501c3 nonprofit the George Floyd Global Memorial (GFGM) will host a birthday celebration honoring the life and impact of George Floyd on Thursday, Oct. 14 – the date that would have been his 48th birthday.  The commemoration will bring together family and friends of Floyd, nonprofit board members and members of the community at George Floyd Square in Minneapolis. The site, located between the intersection of 38th and Chicago Avenue South, has become an international memorial following his death.

 

“As we approach what would have been my nephew George Floyd’s birthday, we acknowledge that it’s time to focus on the impact his life has made on the world, beyond the tragedy of his death,” said Angela Harrelson, George Floyd’s aunt who lives in Minneapolis and serves as Co-Chair for the George Floyd Global Memorial.  “On this birthday, we want to bring the community together to reflect on what he meant to those of us who knew him and now, how he’s helping to change the lives of so many following his death.”

 

The George Floyd Global Memorial, established on Floyd's birthday in 2020, will celebrate its first anniversary during the event. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. local time and include food and live music performances from Sophia Eris, Metasota, KNOWN Mpls, Pan Dimensions, and Ty$tick. A candlelight vigil commemorating the life of George Floyd will follow at 7:30 p.m. before the event ends at 8 p.m.

 

Volunteers from the National Urban League and Urban League Twin Cities will be on hand sharing information on COVID-19 vaccinations and voter registration. The national organization will also partner with GFGM on a social media campaign. 

 

“In honoring the impact that George Floyd had on the world, the Urban League is pleased to help commemorate his life through resources that are designed to push our communities forward,” said Steven Belton, President and CEO of the Urban League Twin Cities. “From the tragedy of George Floyd’s murder, we have an opportunity to build, and we are happy to help build with the George Floyd Global Memorial as they celebrate George Floyd and our community.”

 

GFGM was established by Floyd's aunt, Angela Harrelson (Co-Chair), along with Floyd’s cousin, Paris Stevens (Co-Chair), and Jeanelle Austin (Executive Director), to bring together members of George Floyd's family and the local community to preserve more than 2,500 artistic expressions of the emotions captured during the moment and marks the place where George Floyd took his last breaths. Since last year, George Floyd Square has served as an ongoing occupation protest and memorial site, visited by people from all over the world to stand in solidarity for racial justice and pay respect to the names of people who have unjustly died at the hands of police. 

 

The George Floyd Global Memorial plans to continue the living memorial that inspires all people to pursue justice. The nonprofit will be accepting donations during the event and online

Visit GeorgeFloydGlobalMemorial.org for more information.

 

About the George Floyd Global Memorial 

George Floyd Global Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Minnesota, was established by George Floyd's aunt Angela Harrelson, His cousin Paris Stevens, and Lead Caretaker Jeanelle Austin, to bring together members of George Floyd's family and the local community to preserve over 2500 creative expressions of pain and hope left as offerings at the place where George Floyd took his last breaths. Learn more about GFGM and how you can support their efforts at: https://www.georgefloydglobalmemorial.org/

No comments:

Post a Comment