20 days that shook America: Since the death of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement has already changed the country

REUTERS/Erin Scott

• Three weeks after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25, mass protests have erupted across the US and the rest of the world. 
• The ongoing demonstrations have already prompted change: city council members have vowed to reform police departments, statues have toppled, and big cooperations are promising greater diversity and inclusivity. 
• Here are significant 13 effects that have been achieved as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Three weeks after George Floyd's death at the hand of police officers in Minneapolis, thousands of people across the country — and the world — have taken to the streets to demand justice, condemn racism and speak out against police brutality. 

The protests have been historic: Overwhelmingly peaceful and highly diverse crowds have been gathering in city centers and in front of government institutions to demand change. And slowly, it appears to be working.

In the 20 days that have followed Floyd's death, editors have resigned, statues have toppled, and police reforms have been announced in several cities across the US. 

Here is a round-up of some of the concrete changes that are happening as a direct result of the ongoing Black Lives Matter movement. 

Four days after killing George Floyd by kneeling on his neck during an arrest, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was charged with third-degree murder. This was later updated to second-degree murder.

Ramsey County Sheriff's Office via AP

While Chauvin could still face other charges, it is unlikely that he will be accused of first-degree murder as prosecutors would need to prove premeditation, intent, and motive, according to the Associated Press (AP).

Earlier this week, Chauvin made his first court appearance where a judge set his bail at $1.25 million. He is expected to enter a plea on June 29.

According to the state's sentencing guidelines, second-degree unintentional murder carries a recommended sentencing of 12 years in prison. The maximum sentence for the charge is 40 years in prison. 

The three other police officers who were at the scene when Floyd died have also been charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images

Former police officers Thomas Lane, Tou Thao, and J Alexander Kueng were arrested more than a week after Floyd's death. They are being held on $1 million bail. 

Kueng and Lane were two trainee officers, who were only days into the job when the incident happened.

In a historic move, Minneapolis lawmakers vowed to disband the city's police department less than two weeks after Floyd's death.

Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Nine city council members announced their support to dismantle the city's police force at a community rally last week.

Minneapolis city council president Lisa Bender said: "We're here because we hear you...We are here because here in Minneapolis and in cities across the United States it is clear that our existing system of policing and public safety is not keeping our communities safe."

"Our commitment is to end policing as we know it and to recreate systems of public safety that actually keep us safe," she added.

The announcement came a day after Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was booed at a rally for refusing to promise protesters that he would defund the city's police.

The council has a veto-proof majority in its decision according to the New York Times, though comprehensive plans have not yet been approved. 

On Thursday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also pledged comprehensive police reform. The Democrat told reporters that the proposals will be aimed at police brutality, grants for rebuilding, and more transparency, according to CNN.

 

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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SEE ALSO: Thousands across the UK, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, and more condemn racism and demand justice at global Black Lives Matter protests

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