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New video shows George Floyd being dragged from his car without resisting arrest

Minneapolis police claimed Mr Floyd had resisted arrest before his death

Gino Spocchia
Thursday 28 May 2020 08:46 BST
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Local news reporter films war-like scenes at George Floyd protest in Minneapolis

The moment police in Minneapolis pulled George Floyd from his car before kneeling on the now deceased black man’s neck can be seen in a newly-emerged video.

Mr Floyd, who is black, died in hospital on Monday after officers arrested him, and one kneeled on his neck.

The Minneapolis Police Department later confirmed that four officers were dismissed after national condemnation of their actions, which were seen in one video shared online.

Now, another video showing Mr Floyd’s final moments appears to contradict a police statement that suggested he had “resisted” arrest before officers forced him to the ground and caused him to lose his breath.

The video, obtained by Fox9, shows two policemen pulling Mr Floyd from his car without any apparent resistance.

Police said they were called to Chicago Avenue South on Monday following reports of attempted forgery with the suspect appearing under the influence.

Footage shows officers handcuffing Mr Floyd, who can be seen in CCTV video obtained by CBS News sitting on the ground in apparent compliance with MPD demands.

“He was ordered to step from his car. After he got out, he physically resisted officers,” said the MPD in a statement.

It added that “Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress”.

In the initial video on Monday, police can be seen pinning the 46-year-old to the ground whilst one officer kneeled on the man’s neck.

“My stomach hurts. My neck hurts. Everything hurts,” Mr Floyd can be heard saying.” [I need] water or something. Please. Please. I can’t breathe, officer. I cannot breathe. I cannot breathe”.

Protesters gathered on Tuesday night with signs saying “I can’t breathe”, as commentators criticised police actions.

“The truth is that MPD officers caused the medical distress and death of the victim through their inhumane actions,” said the demonstration’s organisers in a statement on the Facebook page, I Can’t Breathe: Protest Against Police Violence.

Mr Floyd's death comes amid widespread concerns about police actions towards black men so far this year, including Ahmed Arbery who was fatally shot in February.

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