President Biden hosts George Floyd's family a year after his death

Trigger warning: This story contains themes of race-motivated violence and police brutality that some readers may find distressing

Exactly a year after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris met with his family. Floyd's death sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality across the country. Floyd's brother, Philonise Floyd, spoke to the media after the interaction and said he had a great meeting with the President and Vice President. "He's a genuine guy. They always speak from the heart," said Philonise Floyd, before adding that he requested them to implement better police reform. "We're just thankful for what's going on and we just want the George Floyd Policing Act to be passed," said Philonese Floyd, reported CNN. "If you can make federal laws to protect the bird, which is the bald eagle, you can make federal laws to protect people of color."

Biden and Harris also enquired about their health and how they were coping. The President had initially set a goal of passing the legislation by Tuesday but the White House recently announced that the negotiations on the George Floyd Policing Act will continue in Congress. The legislation will set up a national registry of police misconduct, ban racial and religious profiling by law enforcement and overhaul qualified immunity for police officers. The bill is currently being stalled in the Senate. Floyd's nephew, Brandon Williams, told the press that Biden is working to ensure the bill isn't diluted before being passed. "He did let us know that he supports passing the bill, but he wants to make sure that it's the right bill and not a rushed bill," said Williams.

"We have been closely engaged with the negotiators and a range of parties on the Hill. We have also been respecting the space needed for the negotiators to have these discussions about where they can find common ground and where they can find agreement," said White House press secretary Jen Psaki about police reform.

Gianna Floyd, George Floyd's daughter, had an "absolute ball" during her White House visit, spending an hour with the President and Vice President. "I got a chance to spend a lot of time with Gianna and her family," said Biden, before adding that he gave her ice cream. "She said, 'I'm really hungry.' She said to me, 'Do you have any snacks?'" said Biden. "My wife will kill me — we gave her some ice cream, she had some Cheetos and I think she had chocolate milk."

The community also organized an outdoor festival titled "Rise and Remember George Floyd," organized by the George Floyd Global Memorial on the one-year anniversary of his death, reported People. The event featuring food, activities for children, and musical performances were held at the intersection of 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis where Floyd was killed. This was one just one of a string of events held to honor Floyd. 

Floyd's family was awarded $27 million in settlement with the city of Minneapolis over Floyd's death. On Tuesday, the family announced $500,000 would be used to create The George Floyd Community Benevolence Fund. The fund will offer grants to organizations and businesses that serve the community at 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis.

Darnella Frazier, who filmed the video of Floyd's death, shared a statement. "I knew his life mattered. I knew that he was in pain. I knew he was another Black man in danger with no power. It changed me. It changed how I viewed life. It made me realize how dangerous it was to be Black in America," she said.