Thousands of mourners expected during six-hour viewing of George Floyd’s casket in his hometown of Houston in the final stop in a series of memorials in his honor
- Mourners have started arriving to view George Floyd’s casket in his hometown of Houston, Texas on Monday in the final stop of a series of memorials in his honor
- Officials are expecting thousands of mourners during a six-hour viewing at The Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston starting from 12pm on Monday
- The viewing is open to the public but visitors will be required to wear a mask and gloves to comply with coronavirus-related guidelines
- Floyd’s private funeral will be Tuesday followed by burial at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland where he will be laid to rest next to his mother
- Two other memorials have already taken place in Minneapolis and Raeford, North Carolina, near where Floyd was born
- The Houston memorial will take place as Derek Chauvin, the white Minneapolis police officer charged with killing Floyd, will face court for the first time
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Mourners have started arriving to view George Floyd’s casket in his hometown of Houston, Texas on Monday in the final stop of a series of memorials in his honor.
Officials are expecting thousands of mourners during a six-hour viewing at The Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston starting from 12pm on Monday.
The viewing is open to the public but visitors are required to wear a mask and gloves to comply with coronavirus-related guidelines, as well as have their temperature checked prior to entering the church.
Floyd’s private funeral will be Tuesday followed by burial at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland where he will be laid to rest next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd.
Former Vice President Joe Biden plans to travel to Houston to meet with Floyd’s family and will provide a video message for Floyd’s funeral service.
George Floyd’s golden casket arrived at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston, Texas on Monday ahead of a six-hour viewing
Officials are expecting thousands of mourners during a six-hour viewing at The Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston starting from 12pm on Monday
The Houston memorial will take place as Derek Chauvin, the white Minneapolis police officer charged with killing Floyd, will face court for the first time.
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder in Floyd’s May 25 death after he was filmed kneeling on the 46-year-old’s neck for nearly nine minutes as he gasped for air and repeatedly groaned: ‘Please, I can’t breathe.’
He was initially charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter before he was newly charged with second-degree murder last week.
It comes two weeks after Floyd’s death sparked widespread protests and civil unrest across the United States over police brutality.
Two other memorials have taken place in Minneapolis and Raeford, North Carolina, near where Floyd was born.
At the Minneapolis tribute last Thursday, those in attendance stood in silence for 8 minutes, 46 seconds – the length of time prosecutors say Floyd was pinned to the ground under the officer’s knee.
Floyd was raised in Houston’s Third Ward and was a well-known former high school football player who rapped with local legend DJ Screw.
He moved to Minneapolis several years ago to seek work and a fresh start after being released from prison.
His face now appears on a mural in his old neighborhood and his name was chanted by tens of thousands last week at a protest and march in downtown Houston.
Floyd’s open casket could be seen inside the church before mourners were allowed in to pay their respects
People line up to attend the public viewing for George Floyd at the Fountain of Praise church in Houston on Monday
The viewing is open to the public but visitors are required to wear a mask and gloves to comply with coronavirus -related guidelines, as well as have their temperature checked prior to entering the church
A man looks on before the casket with George Floyd arrives at the Fountain of Praise church where the service will be held on Monday
Officials are expecting thousands of mourners to attend the six-hour viewing in Houston
Houston police officers who had escorted the hearse with the casket of George Floyd stand outside of the Fountain of Praise church where his memorial and funeral services will be held