Newark honors George Floyd with a statue

Newark has honored George Floyd with a statue.

The 700-pound George Floyd statute was unveiled on June 16 and sits outside of city hall.

“Hopefully it inspires those who walk by to be more active, take part in activism,” said Mayor Ras Baraka.

The statue was commissioned by actor and filmmaker Leon Pickney and it was sculpted by artist Stanley Watts.

The artwork was donated to the city and will be on display for at least a year in collaboration with the Division of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The artwork, according to organizers, is meant to celebrate Floyd’s life.

George Floyd, a Black man, died on May 25, 2020, after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes.

His death reignited conversation over policing in Black communitues and sparked nationwide protests calling for social and criminal justice reforms.

The police officer, Derek Chauvin, was fired and later convicted by a jury of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

He is awaiting sentencing.

“Mr. Floyd’s death elevated the Black Lives Matter movement, which has resulted in an international response, including protests, police reform measures, and the removal of Confederate statues from public parks and racist names from organizations,” organizers said in a news release ahead of the statue’s unveiling.