The death of George Floyd, a black man, by a white police officer named Derek Chauvin, who was later fired, arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter in Minneapolis, has led to much violence. The killing generated widespread violence in Minneapolis and many cities in America, including Brooklyn, with violent incidents of arson, looting and vandalism by those with no regard for law and order. And that I find most sad.
These protests destroyed much private property owned by both white and black hardworking Americans who had nothing to do with with the death of George Floyd. And on top of all this, there were attack on police officers, who have a responsibility to protect the protesters and to prevent violence and to safeguard lives in the many communities that depend on them. This I find quite troubling.
Our Constitution states in part that we are allowed the freedom of speech and the right to peacefully assemble to protest but not to harm others or to destroy property. As a white teenager in the 1960s, I marched for civil rights and believed in the equality of men and women of all races. I think if Martin Luther King Jr. was alive today he would have shred a tear for those who acted violently against racism.
The hate in our country must end and love and peace need to surface for the greater good of all. You see, we are all brothers and sisters and our creator created us to love and to care for one another. My heartfelt prayers goes out to the family and friends and neighbors of George Floyd who lost someone near and dear to them.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Mineola
