‘I Can’t Breathe’: Cases Of Black Men Dying In Police Custody Resurface Nationwide

TOPLINE

Derrick Scott, a 42-year-old black man, died after a May 2019 arrest—and after telling police officers “I can’t breathe”—some of the same last words spoken by George Floyd, whose killing has sparked not only a nationwide movement for police reform and anti-racism, but a re-examination of cases of black men who have died in law enforcement custody over recent years.

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

“The world is listening to our collective outcry, our DEMAND for CHANGE—systemic, structural, cultural, etc,” wrote Floyd family attorney Ben Crump on Twitter, along with a video displaying the names of black people who have died as a result of police custody or unofficial neighborhood watches. “I hope that one day this list will end. And I will strive to make that happen.”

Key background

New video footage of Scott’s death was released Monday night by Oklahoma police, according to the Washington Post, after coming under pressure from Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Across the country, state and local governments are undertaking efforts to reform police as cases of unarmed black men dying in custody continue to resurface. In New York, a bill banning chokeholds (and named after Garner) was passed, while the Minneapolis police department, where Floyd was killed, will be disbanded and focus on community policing. Families of the deceased are also seeking answers. Maurice Gordon, 28, was killed May 23 by New Jersey state police after being shot four times. “I’m broken inside,” Gordon’s mother, Raquel Barrett, told the New York Times. “I just need answers. Why did they kill my son?”

Further reading

LeBron James Launches Voting Rights Initiative In Wake Of George Floyd’s Death (Forbes)Trump Is Worried About Protests ‘Vilifying’ Cops, White House Says (Forbes)

‘Stop The Pain’ — George Floyd’s Brother Makes Case For Police Reform On Capitol Hill (Forbes)

Paramount Network Cancels ‘Cops’ Ahead Of 33rd Season Amid Protests Against Police Brutality (Forbes)