George Floyd’s Killing, US Embassy in Banjul Speaks out

By Bakary Ceesay

The United States ambassador to The Gambia R. Carl Paschall says in a statement Tuesday that the “response of Americans and Gambians to the tragic death of George Floyd is profound pain and anger, as well as pressing legitimate need to express frustration and seek truth and justice.”

He stresses that healthy democracies require freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.

“Those who peacefully gather in our two countries and in democracies around the world to demand justice, and end racism and discrimination, and a meaningful reform are putting into action our shared values of democracy and respect for the human rights and human dignity for all.” 

Quoting the words of an American hero, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr, he said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” But, “we must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence.”

“We must hear the demands for true equality and justice, and we must all as individuals, and as persons united in our determination, act in our daily lives to put into place a world that realizes true equality and justice. That’s my solemn conviction, and that of my entire team.”

George Floyd, an African-American was pinned down on the ground by American policeman last week, clearly groaning and repeatedly saying ‘I can’t breathe.’

The officer continued to press his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes until he became motionless before being pronounced death later.

Since then, millions took to the streets in a violent protest across the American states including Minnesota where the incident took place, New York, Georgia and in the capital Washington DC. 

It has also prompted peaceful protests outside the US such as the UK, UK, Germany, Canada. The protesters are demanding justice for the deceased and calling for the end of the systematic racism and inequality against black people.

A Gambian-American, Momodou Lamin Sisay was reportedly killed in a police shootout in Atlanta, Georgia as he joined the protest, prompting another peaceful protest in The Gambia due on the 8th June in front of the US embassy.