Dioceses throughout California held special Masses and tributes on Tuesday, June, 9, for George Floyd, an African-American man who was killed while in police custody in Minneapolis. Floyd was laid to rest in Houston the same day.
Some parishes rang their bells for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, while others observed the same amount of time for silent prayer in lieu of homilies. Floyd was held down forcefully by his neck for nearly nine minutes by a police officer that resulted in his death.
Vatican News highlighted the Mass that Los Angeles Archbishop and USCCB President José Gomez live-streamed from his Cathedral in remembrance of Floyd.
“George Floyd’s death was heartbreaking. It was wrong. It never should have happened,” said Archbishop Gomez during his homily. “His death is a sad reminder that we have still have a long way to go in our country to confront the reality of black inequality and the racism that still infects our institutions.”
More actions are being planned around California and the nation. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest developments. Click here for USCCB resources available to explore the issue of racism in this nation. You can also read comments from other Bishops around California.