Kerry Washington is a recognized actress in the movie industry, whose incredible talent remains a source of excitement among fans when they watch her on the big screens. 

The actress is also a known activist, who pushes for  positive changes in different parts if the world, especially in America. 

Recently, she took to her Instagram page to pay homage to a fallen hero, George Floyd, on the one-year anniversary of his death. 

Read below for more information on Floyd’s death and the events that took place afterwards. 

In a bid to send out the best positive vibes that she could, Washington honored Floyd with a 9-minute-29- second long meditation on Instagram.

This time was significant for the video because it signifies the duration that a police officer, Derek Chauvin spent kneeling on Floyd’s neck before he died. 

In the video, the actress noted that she was celebrating the anniversary of Floyd’s passing, and urged everyone to let themselves feel a ‘presence’ and put him in their thoughts. 

Also, she spoke about the trauma that black people have faced for a long time, and asked everyone to take a moment to appreciate that they are still breathing.

Floyd was an African-American hip-hop artist, born on October 14, 1973 in Fayetteville, North Caroline, U.S.

He spent most of his years in Houston, where he was a skilled player in basketball and football. Later on, he began his hip-hop journey, and became a positive influence to others in his community. 

In 2014, he relocated to Minneapolis, where he took on odd jobs such as truck driving, party bouncer, and security, which he lost when the pandemic began. 

Floyd was killed by a police officer on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Floyd’s death was broadcasted on a social media platform by a passerby, who saw that officer Derek Chauvin was kneeling on his neck and refusing to stand up. 

Moments after the video went viral, reports confirmed that the hip-hop artist was dead. In the video, he was heard saying “I can’t breathe,” but the officer refused to oblige. 

After an autopsy was carried out, it confirmed that Floyd died from Cardiopulmonary arrest due to neck compression. This hurtful happening, gave rise to an increase in the Black Lives Matter awareness and supporters took to the streets. 

The black community, as well as white supporters in different states of America, took to the streets to protest against segregation and killings of black folks. 

They also demanded that the officers involved in Floyd’s murder be brought to justice. 

According to reports, the City of Minneapolis settled a lawsuit for wrongful death with the victim’s family, and paid the sum of $27 million. 

Additionally, on April 20, 2021, the officer responsible for the act was charged with two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter. Trial is set to begin soon.