Thousands rally at George Floyd's memorial in Brooklyn to demand justice

Thousands of people filled Cadman Plaza Park in Brooklyn Thursday for a memorial service to George Floyd, the black man killed in police custody in Minneapolis last week, chanting the dead man's name as his brother and several elected officials called for justice.

Floyd's brother, Terrence Floyd, wearing a T-shirt and coronavirus face mask with an image of his brother, was greeted with cries of "you are not alone" as he took to the microphone in an emotional display. The Brooklyn gathering took place as Floyd's memorial was held in Minneapolis.

"I'm proud of the protests, but I'm not proud of the destruction," Terrence Floyd told the crowd, referencing the peaceful protests that have erupted in his brother's name in New York City and around the country, as well as separate acts of looting. "My brother wasn't about that."

The large crowd included people young and old and of different races packed into the 10-acre park in the shadow of Brooklyn's federal courthouse, even as the deadly and highly contagious coronavirus has killed thousands of people in New York City. Many wore masks. 

They shouted “black lives matter!” “George Floyd!” “defund police!" and "hands up, don't shoot!" — rallying cries of Black Lives Matter protests across the country — as three police helicopters buzzed overhead at times.

People held signs, including several that said “Repeal 50-a,” a reference to New York State’s law shielding police officers' discipline records from public disclosure.

Several high-ranking elected officials spoke at the service, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Attorney General Letitia James and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. 

The memorial concluded with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge to Foley Square in Manhattan.

"We are here today to pay homage to the life and legacy of George Floyd. Say his name!" said the Rev. Kevin McCall, a spokesman for the brother and a civil rights activist. "George Floyd represented peace. He was a godly man, a gentle giant, and you must keep his memory as such."

McCall warned the crowd not to boo the mayor, telling them "you must respect George Floyd; you must respect the family of George Floyd." But de Blasio was booed, and jeered with chants of "defund the police" as he began to speak. 

"George Floyd cannot have been allowed to die in vain," de Blasio said. "We have to make a change in this city and country. … For all of us who know white privilege, we need to do more because we don’t even fully recognize the daily pain and the racism this society causes."

De Blasio said he city needs to do more, including "change in the NYPD," but did not specify any policy changes. 

Williams, in a fiery speech in which he criticized de Blasio and Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, referring to them as "inept leaders like this mayor and governor," called on protesters to continue demonstrating and make those in power uncomfortable. 

"I hear the mayor and the governor saying we have to do what we have to do to protect property … I want to say this, as a citywide elected official, we must protect property … but where is the same energy for black lives? Why are you not saying we have to do everything, everything, everything we can to protect black lives?"

Williams added: "We have the wrong president, we have the wrong governor and we have the wrong mayor with these times we're in right now."

Freddi Goldstein, a de Blasio spokesperson, said in response: “The mayor stands now and always with peaceful protesters across this city. He knows there must be more change, and he’s committed to making it. New York City will lead the way.”

Dani Lever, a spokesman for Cuomo, did not immediately provide comment. 

James, the state attorney general whose office is currently prosecuting a police-involved fatal shooting by an off-duty NYPD officer in Farmingdale, told the crowd: "Family, all of the young people out there, you all know that every change in this country has started with young people, not politicians, but young people … So to my young people, I say, march until the intractable walls of racism come down."

Floyd's May 25 killing has set off several days of demonstrations — and some looting — in communities across the country. During an anti-looting patrol in Crown Heights Wednesday night, two NYPD officers were shot and one was stabbed, police said. All are expected to survive.

Four Minneapolis police officers, including an officer who allegedly put his knee on Floyd's neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, were fired from the force and have been charged in Floyd's death.

By Nicole Fuller

nicole.fuller@newsday.com,matthew.chayes@newsday.com@NicoleFuller,

Nicole Fuller is Newsday's senior criminal justice reporter. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government.