Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Viewers Struggle To Process Harsh Images From Murder Trial Of Former Minneapolis Cop
A portrait of George Floyd painted on a Fabric Planet store in Santa Monica.
(
Chava Sanchez
/
LAist
)
It’s been nearly a year since the world first saw the horrific footage of a former Minneapolis police officer kneeling on the neck of George Floyd and killing him. The incident reignited a nationwide movement against police violence.
The murder trial of former officer Derek Chauvin has been highlighted by difficult, often tearful testimony and traumatizing images from photos and the now-infamous videos of Floyd struggling to breath and pleading for his life.
Listeners on KPCC's Take Two weighed in with their reactions to what they witnessed during the two-week trial.
"He knows he’s killing this man. He has no problem with that, he is almost enjoying himself."
— Batia Adrabi
Support for LAist comes from
Batia Adrabi said Chauvin's nonchalant demeanor and body language — including an image of his hand in his pocket as he kneels on Floyd — was particularly disturbing.
"He knows he’s killing this man. He has no problem with that, he is almost enjoying himself," she said. "He's looking directly at the people surrounding him. They're begging him to stop and he has no problem with that."
For poet Caroline Randall Williams, that image of Chauvin with his hand in his pocket displayed a specific type of privilege — one that distinctly comes with being white and in a position of power.
"It’s this idea but no matter how much you ask for your rights, how much you're asking for your life to look like something that needs to be preciously cared for, there are people who are just prepared to see you as like an animal."
Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled to begin on Monday. A verdict could come as soon as next week.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist