WXMI — People gathered at a Minneapolis church Thursday to honor George Floyd, whose death in the hands of police prompted a global movement and call for justice.
Family, friends and notable African American figures, spoke in his honor.
"I loved my brother, man. We had so many memories together," Floyd’s brother Philonise said.
"The thing that U will miss the most about him is his hugs. Like, he was this great, bit giant and when he would wrap him arms around you, you would just feel like, everything could go away." Floyd’s Cousin Shareeduh Tate said.
“George Floyd should not be among the deceased., he did not die of common health conditions, he died of a common American criminal justice malfunction,” Rev. Al Sharpton said.
Floyd’s death inspired demonstrators across the globe to demand racial equality and end police brutality.
“Slowly we are getting justice but are we getting change?” asked Asja Saintard.
Saintard organized one of the protests that took place in Grand Rapids, where she watched the memorial on Thursday.
"It’s very emotional, it was a very beautiful setting but it was very emotional, [I felt] sadness and anger, and seeing his family up there, people crying, it was overwhelming,” Saintard added.
Saintard says Floyd's memorial is another reminder in the fight to make sure it does not happen again.
“If we are going to get change, we need to make sure this doesn’t happen again, we cannot fail, this a daughter lost her father, she has to live the rest of her life without her father, so we need justice, we need to make sure other little girls don’t have to go through this,” Saintard said.
“We have to make sure this is the end of police brutality,” she added.
There will be a public viewing and a private memorial service in North Carolina Saturday, where Floyd was born.
Then Monday, Floyd's body will return to Houston for a public memorial and private service on Tuesday.
