George Floyd, whose death energised a movement, to be buried

HOUSTON (AP) — George Floyd’s body arrived at a Houston church Tuesday for a private funeral, to be followed by his burial, capping six days of mourning for the black man whose death has led to a global reckoning over police brutality and racial injustice.

Floyd, 46, was to be laid to rest next to his mother in the suburb of Pearland.

He called for her as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck May 25.

Cellphone video of the encounter ignited protests and scattered violence in cities across the US and around the world.

While the service was private, at least 50 people gathered outside the Fountain of Praise church to pay their respects.

Some held signs with messages including “Black Lives Matter” and “Together because of George Floyd.”

“There’s a real big change going on and everybody, especially black, right now should be a part of that,” said Kersey Biagase, who travelled more than three hours from Port Barre, Louisiana, with his girlfriend, Brandi Pickney.

The couple wore matching T-shirts she designed, printed with Floyd’s name and “I Can’t Breathe,” the words he uttered before his death.

Several police officers from Texas Southern University stood guard at the sanctuary entrance, wearing face masks printed with Floyd’s dying words.

The historically black school is next to the Houston housing project where Floyd grew up.

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