George Floyd's Uncle Urges Police Reform Amid DOJ Ending Minneapolis, Louisville Settlements

Selwyn Jones, George Floyd's uncle, visited the Massachusetts State House to advocate for meaningful police reform nearly five years after Floyd's death, emphasizing unity and collective action to address systemic issues such as police brutality and wrongful convictions. His visit coincided with the U.S. Department of Justice's announcement to cancel police reform settlements with Minneapolis and Louisville, agreements that were intended to overhaul police departments following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Jones expressed frustration at the DOJ's retreat but remained determined to continue the movement for change, warning about potential political interference such as a pardon for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis officer convicted for Floyd's murder. Supporters and activists in Boston echoed calls for transparency, independent investigations, and community oversight to achieve real reform beyond performative politics. The cancellation of these consent decrees drew criticism from local leaders, but Jones urged persistence, stating that the movement they created must keep momentum. This visit and the DOJ decision highlight ongoing tensions and challenges in achieving systemic police reform in the United States.