George Floyd death: Kent University investigates 'disturbing' Snapchat image of men re-enacting fatal arrest

Officials say university will not tolerate racism in any form after 'insensitive' photo emerges

The University of Kent is investigating a “deeply disturbing and highly insensitive” photo which showed two males appearing to mock the death of George Floyd.

A Snapchat post which has circulated on social media showed one male holding a can of drink while kneeling on the neck of another person with the caption “#justiceforgeorgefloyd”.

Mr Floyd was an unarmed black man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes while he was pinned to the floor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last month.

An independent post-mortem examination found Mr Floyd died from asphyxia, a lack of oxygen, due to the compression on his neck and back by police officers, challenging an official examination by a county medical examiner which suggested underlying health conditions played a role in his death.

“We are investigating, alongside Kent Union, this deeply disturbing and highly insensitive image,” the University of Kent and Kent Union said in a joint statement.

“The University of Kent does not tolerate racism in any form and is taking this matter very seriously.”

Sasha Langeveldt, the student union president, condemned the “extremely distressing” image and reassured students that the union had a zero tolerance policy towards racism.

“As the first black woman to be elected as Students' Union president, it is my duty to ensure the university is a fair and equal place, or at least challenge it whenever necessary,” Ms Langeveldt said.

“It has been brought to my attention that there is an extremely distressing photo (making fun out of George Floyd's death) circulating around social media.”

The union president added that she would follow up the matter with the university.

It came after three teenagers from Gateshead were arrested on suspicion of committing a hate crime after a video showed them appearing to mock Mr Floyd by re-enacting his death in a park.

The death of Mr Floyd has sparked protests and condemnation around the world, particularly in the US, over racism and police brutality.

Protesters in the US have called for reform of the police system over repeated cases of officers killing unarmed black Americans.

Following the protests, which have been mostly peaceful, new charges have been brought against all the police officers who were sacked over the incident.

The charge for Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Mr Floyd’s neck, has been elevated to second-degree murder, while the other three officers now face counts of aiding and abetting murder, according to court documents.

Additional reporting by PA