Calls for social justice, police reform continue 1 year after George Floyd's death

George Floyd died in front of a Minneapolis Cup Foods on May 25, 2020.

Last Updated: May 25, 2021, 8:46 PM EDT

Activists are continuing their quest for police reform and social and racial justice on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death.

Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, by former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin after he was accused of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a Cup Foods.

His death sparked nationwide protests that persisted in major cities for much of the summer, despite a raging pandemic.

Floyd's family is set to meet with President Joe Biden Tuesday and other prominent lawmakers to push for the passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which aims to address "a wide range of policies and issues regarding policing practices and law enforcement accountability."

May 25, 2021, 8:46 PM EDT

Peaceful rallies held across the nation

Thousands of people rallied in locations around the country to mark the one-year anniversary of George Floyd's death.

In Brooklyn, crowds gathered outside Barclays Center before the Nets' playoff game and marched along Atlantic Avenue calling for an end to police violence.

A child participates in a demonstration on the first anniversary of the death of George Floyd, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, May 25, 2021.
Jeenah Moon/Reuters

In Boston, two major marches took place in the afternoon and evening.

"Not enough progress. Not enough progress, which is why [we're marching]," Karen Groce-Horan, executive director and co-founder of Courageous Conversations Milton, told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB.

People march during a racial justice rally on the one year anniversary of George Floyd's death, May 25, 2021, in Boston.
Michael Dwyer/AP

At Leimert Park in Los Angeles, some kneeled for just over nine minutes to mark the amount of time former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had his knee on Floyd's neck.

Black Lives Matter supporters march through downtown Los Angeles on the first anniversary of George Floyd's death, May 25, 2021.
Sarah Reingewirtz/AP

Most of the rallies went off without incident, according to reports.

May 25, 2021, 8:42 PM EDT

Crump vows to return to DC every week with Floyd family

During an impromptu press conference at Black Lives Matter Plaza, the family of George Floyd, standing alongside lawmakers, answered questions following their trips to Capitol Hill and the White House. 

Family attorney Benjamin Crump told ABC News the Floyd family and others plan to be back in D.C. regularly.

"The family has committed, as well as other families have said, they will come to Washington, every week, if need be to get proper legislation that will prevent other families from having to go through what they're going through," he said.

George Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd (2L) looks on as the family lawyer Ben Crump (2R) speaks to the media on Black Lives Matter plaza after a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C., May 25, 2021.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

When asked by ABC News about a new timetable for legislation for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, Crump declined to give an exact date.

"We don't want to pigeonhole them," he said. "What we want is a good bill, and they're working as hard as they have told us they're working. We're going to get there sooner rather than later."

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson

May 25, 2021, 7:16 PM EDT

Floyd family meets with GOP senators over police reform bill

George Floyd’s family met with GOP Sens. Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham on Tuesday evening for about an hour to discuss the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Family attorney Benjamin Crump told reporters the senators felt that they are "the closest they've ever been," on making a deal.

"Everybody's engaged and saying, ‘We can do better to solve this American issue.’ And the only way we can solve it is working together. It hasn't worked for us 50 years trying to work apart," Crump said.

Crump added that Scott told the family, "He can see the light at the end of the tunnel and asked us to stay encouraged."

Scott didn't give more details about the meeting but told reporters he was encouraged by the family's thoughts.

"I think we’re we’re making the kind of progress that we need to make. I’m happy that the family stopped by," he said.

-ABC News' Trish Turner

May 25, 2021, 5:51 PM EDT

Darnella Frazier, witness who filmed George Floyd's arrest, reflects on anniversary

Darnella Frazier, the bystander who filmed the most famous video of George Floyd's arrest and death at the hands of former police officer Derek Chauvin, issued a statement reflecting on the one-year anniversary.

Frazier, who was 17 at the time of the incident, said Floyd's death has profoundly changed her life and how she views the world.

"It made me realize how dangerous it is to be Black in America. We shouldn't have to walk on eggshells around police officers, the same people that are supposed to protect and serve," she said in her statement.

Frazier was walking with her 9-year-old cousin when they witnessed the police arrest Floyd. She said she and her cousin still deal with trauma from watching Floyd die.

Frazier said she still has panic attacks anytime she sees a police car.

"A lot of people call me a hero even though I don't see myself as one. I was just in the right place at the right time," she said. "I'm a girl trying to heal from something I am reminded of every day."

Frazier expressed her condolences to Floyd's family.

"I can't express enough how I wish things could have went different, but I want you to know you will always be in my heart. I'll always remember this day because of you," she said.