George Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd said he would return the millions from the deal if it meant he could see his brother again.
“I thank the state of Minnesota for handling this deal,” he said. “But even though my brother is not here, he is here with me in my heart. Because if I could have him back, I would give it all back.
“I know he is with us and is getting up, now, knowing that we have the opportunity to be able to finance low-income African American communities.”
Floyd took a moment at a news conference where family members, his legal team and Mayor Jacob Frey joined him to thank the protesters who supported the family, especially during the height of the pandemic last summer. He also asked for peace.
“So one thing the world needs to know. America, we need to heal, this nation needs healing. Our family needs healing,” said the emotional Floyd.
George Floyd’s sister, Bridgett Floyd, said in a statement: “Although we will never have our beloved George back, we will continue to work tirelessly to make this world a better and safer place for everyone.”
She said the foundation that started in her brother’s name will honor her legacy as a community-oriented volunteer.
Floyd’s final moments, videotaped, led to widespread protests against police brutality and racism under the motto Black Lives Matter, as well as incidents of unrest and looting.
Chauvin pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter and wrongful death charges. He also pleaded not guilty to third-degree murder, which was reinstated in the case on Thursday.
In July, Floyd’s family had filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Minneapolis and the four former police officers involved in his death.
The lawsuit said the city had promoted a culture of excessive force and impunity within the police force and had failed to fire dangerous policemen.
Frey told reporters that the deal reflects a shared commitment by the Floyd family to racial justice and social progress.
“We need to be relentless,” he said. “We must not apologize in our quest for fairer local government and a fairer approach to the community, security and our city, and we will do so.”
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender offered her “deepest condolences” to Floyd’s family, friends and community.
“No amount of money can ever deal with the intense pain or trauma caused by this death to the family of George Floyd or the people of our city,” she said. “Minneapolis has fundamentally changed in this age of racial evaluation, and this city council is united in working together with our community and the Floyd family to equitably remodel our city of Minneapolis.”
Family applauds police reform
At the press conference announcing the deal, Ben Crump, a lawyer for the Floyd family, praised the city for the changes in the police department.
“The settlement is not only historic because of the $ 27 million paid, but also because of the impact on social justice policy reforms and police reforms,” he said. “Because financial compensation most directly affects George Floyd, and his family, his family’s future. But it is the political reforms that affect us all.”
Days after Floyd’s death, Minneapolis City Council voted to ban the strangulation, demand that officers report other officers they saw using strangulation and intervene in those cases. At the time, the mayor promised to help change the way the city’s police department works, saying “now we can finally do it right”.
And in July, the mayor and police chief Medaria Arradondo announced changes to the use of the force notification requirements department that place a stronger emphasis on reducing escalation.
The agency is scheduled to see funding cuts after December when the city council voted to redirect $ 7.77 million from the police budget to other programs, according to a press release.
The plan finances mental health programs, directs funding to “increase the capacity of the Civil Rights Department’s Police Conduct Review Office to investigate complaints about police behavior” and redirects some non-emergency calls to other departments.
Another police shootout resulted in a large settlement
Ruszczyk, 40, called 911 to report a possible attack in the alley behind his home. She was shot by ex-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor, who was answering her call with her partner.
Ruszczyk’s death in 2017 drew widespread attention in the United States and his native Australia. She had moved to Minneapolis to be with the groom and was killed a month before the wedding.
CNN’s Steve Almasy contributed to this report.