On May 25, George Floyd was killed by police during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd’s death, which was filmed and made public, has sparked Black Lives Matter protest across the nation, as well as in the City of Memphis. The New Tri-State Defender’s Karanja Ajanaku says that the protests are a result of a combination of things, including both the filming of Floyd’s death and the timing.
Ajanaku joins this week’s WKNO-TV Behind the Headlines with host Eric Barnes and Daily Memphian reporter Bill Dries. Guests discuss the local protests that have taken place and the effect they are having on lawmakers and policies with regard to addressing police brutality.
Dries also talks about the Memphis City Council passing of an ordinance requiring individuals to wear face masks in public. In addition, guests discuss the City of Memphis’ decision to halt phase three of reopening the city, as a result of a recent uptick in positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.