The Minnesota Department of Education encouraged schools to participate in a moment of silence for George Floyd, whose death occurred one year ago today.
Gov. Tim Walz issued a proclamation Monday asking Minnesotans to pause for nine minutes and 29 seconds at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
“George Floyd’s murder ignited a global movement and awakened many Minnesotans and people around the world to the systemic racism that our Black communities, Indigenous communities, and communities of color have known for centuries,” Walz said in the proclamation.
The proclamation calls the conviction of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer who killed Floyd, a “step in the right direction.”
“True justice for George Floyd will come only through real, systemic change to prevent acts like this from happening again — when every member of every community, no matter their race, is safe, valued, and protected,” it continues.
In response, Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Heather Mueller sent an email to “school leaders” advising them that “all Minnesotans are encouraged to participate in this moment of silence.”
“I wanted to ensure that you are all aware that Governor Walz has proclaimed that the State of Minnesota will hold a moment of silence beginning at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, for 9 minutes and 29 seconds in recognition of the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd,” Mueller said.
“This moment of silence will honor George Floyd and every person whose life has been cut short due to systems of racism and discrimination in Minnesota,” she added.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
