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Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who filmed George Floyd’s dying and testified at former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s trial over the incident, is issuing her first public assertion over what she witnessed on the yr anniversary of the 46-year-old’s passing.
Frazier, within the prolonged statement posted to her Facebook page, says she nonetheless holds “the load and trauma of what I witnessed a yr in the past.”
“A yr in the past, at present I witnessed a homicide,” she wrote in opening the assertion. “The sufferer’s identify was George Floyd. Though this wasn’t the primary time, I’ve seen a Black man get killed by the hands of the police, that is the primary time I witnessed it occur in entrance of me. Proper in entrance of my eyes, just a few ft away. I didn’t know this man from a can of paint, however I knew his life mattered. I knew that he was in ache. I knew that he was one other Black man at risk with no energy.
Frazier went on to say that Chauvin’s actions took away her innocence and scarred her for all times. “It’s a bit simpler now, however I’m not who I was,” she wrote. “Part of my childhood was taken from me.”
George Floyd was killed a yr in the past at present (Might 25) by Chauvin, who was convicted of second and third diploma homicide and second diploma manslaughter final month for kneeling on Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes, which led to his dying. Frazier’s mobile phone recording of the Floyd’s passing was key proof in Chauvin’s homicide trial. Moreover, her testimony helped result in a conviction.
Learn her full assertion under.
A yr in the past, at present I witnessed a homicide. The sufferer’s identify was George Floyd. Though this wasn’t the primary time, I’ve seen a black man get killed by the hands of the police, that is the primary time I witnessed it occur in entrance of me. Proper in entrance of my eyes, just a few ft away. I didn’t know this man from a can of paint, however I knew his life mattered. I knew that he was in ache. I knew that he was one other black man at risk with no energy. I used to be solely 17 on the time, only a regular day for me strolling my 9-year-old cousin to the nook retailer, not even ready for what I used to be about to see, not even understanding my life was going to vary on this precise day in these precise moments… it did. It modified me. It modified how I seen life. It made me notice how harmful it’s to be Black in America. We shouldn’t need to stroll on eggshells round law enforcement officials, the identical individuals which might be supposed to guard and serve. We’re checked out as thugs, animals, and criminals, all due to the colour of our pores and skin. Why are Black individuals the one ones seen this manner when each race has some sort of wrongdoing? None of us are to guage. We’re all human. I’m 18 now and I nonetheless maintain the load and trauma of what I witnessed a yr in the past. It’s a bit simpler now, however I’m not who I was. Part of my childhood was taken from me. My 9-year-old cousin who witnessed the identical factor I did bought part of her childhood taken from her. Having to up and go away as a result of my house was not secure, waking as much as reporters at my door, closing my eyes at evening solely to see a person who’s brown like me, lifeless on the bottom. I couldn’t sleep correctly for weeks. I used to shake so unhealthy at evening my mother needed to rock me to sleep. Hopping from lodge to lodge as a result of we didn’t have a house and searching over our again day by day within the course of. Having panic and nervousness assaults each time I seen a police automobile, not understanding who to belief as a result of lots of people are evil with unhealthy intentions. I maintain that weight. Lots of people name me a hero though I don’t see myself as one. I used to be simply in the precise place on the proper time. Behind this smile, behind these awards, behind the publicity, I’m a lady making an attempt to heal from one thing I’m reminded of day by day. Everybody talks concerning the woman who recorded George Floyd‘s dying, however to really be her is a special story. Not solely did this have an effect on me, my household too. All of us skilled change. My mother probably the most. I try day by day to be sturdy for her as a result of she was sturdy for me after I couldn’t be sturdy for myself. Although this was a traumatic life-changing expertise for me, I’m happy with myself. If it weren’t for my video, the world wouldn’t have identified the reality. I personal that. My video didn’t save George Floyd, nevertheless it put his assassin away and off the streets. You’ll be able to view George Floyd anyway you select to view him, regardless of his previous, as a result of don’t all of us have one? He was a cherished one, somebody’s son, somebody’s father, somebody’s brother, and somebody’s good friend. We the individuals received’t take the blame, you received’t hold pointing fingers at us as if it’s our fault, as if we’re criminals. I don’t assume individuals perceive how severe dying is…that particular person is rarely coming again. These officers shouldn’t get to resolve if somebody will get to stay or not. It’s time these officers begin getting held accountable. Murdering individuals and abusing your energy whereas doing it’s not doing all your job. It shouldn’t need to take individuals to really undergo one thing to grasp it’s not okay. It’s known as having a coronary heart and understanding proper from fallacious. George Floyd, I can’t categorical sufficient how I want issues may have went totally different, however I would like you to know you’ll all the time be in my coronary heart. I’ll all the time keep in mind at the present time due to you. Might your soul relaxation in peace. Might you relaxation in probably the most lovely roses.