George Floyd Protests Push U.S. Leaders to Propose Police Reform Legislation

As George Floyd is laid to rest today, cities and state leaders are discussing serious police reform. Already major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis have announced plans to defund their law enforcement agencies by millions of dollars. They are also in talks to deliver new reform legislation. On top of this, democrats in the House unveiled a new bill yesterday that also aims to implement structural reform to police forces. It includes making it easier to prosecute officers for misconduct, a mandated national police misconduct registry, completely eradicating certain practices, and certifying lynching a hate crime. Floyd is being buried today in Houston. Yesterday, more than 6,300 people participated in the memorial service prior to his funeral. Some waited for hours in nearly 100 degree heat. Also yesterday, former officer Derek Chauvin made his first court appearance. He is being held on a bail of 1.25 million dollars. If released, it will be supervised. His next court date is June 29th.