'ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING'
Meghan Markle says ‘George Floyd’s life mattered’ in heartfelt message against racism
MEGHAN Markle has spoken out over George Floyd’s death, saying 'his life mattered' in a heartfelt video message against racism.
The unarmed black man died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last week after a cop was filmed kneeling on his neck during his arrest.
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The tragedy sparked widespread outrage and protests which have spread across the US and around the world.
And Meghan has added her voice to the growing chorus in a heartfelt video message to the graduating class of her former high school, Immaculate Heart in LA.
Comparing Floyd's death to those of other African Americans who died in police custody, Meghan said: “George Floyd’s life mattered and Breonna Taylor’s life mattered and Philando Castile’s life mattered and Tamir Rice’s life mattered… and so did so many other people whose names we know and whose names we do not know.”
She added: “I wasn’t sure what I could say to you. I wanted to say the right thing and I was really nervous that it would get picked apart.
“And I realised the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing.”
I realised the only wrong thing to say is to say nothing."
Meghan Markle
Meghan referred to a teacher from the school, who she says gave her the courage to speak out.
She said: "I was thinking about this moment when I was a sophomore, I was 15... it’s the year we do volunteer work.
"And I remember one teachers, Ms Pollia, said to me, ‘always remember to put other’s needs above your own fears’.
"That has stuck with me throughout my entire life and I have thought about it more in the last week than ever before."
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The former Suits star also remembered living through the 1992 LA riots after the police beating of black man Rodney King.
She said: “I was 11 or 12 years old and it was the LA Riots, which was also triggered by senseless act of racism.
“I remember the curfew and I remember rushing back home and on that drive home, seeing ash fall from the sky and smelling the smoke and seeing the smoke billow out of buildings.
“I remember seeing men in the back of a van just holding guns and rifles.
“I remember pulling up at the house and seeing the tree, that had always been there, completely charred.
“And those memories don't go away.”
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Floyd died on May 25 after being arrested for trying to use a fake $20 bill to buy cigarettes.
On Tuesday, his daughter over her former partner's death, saying their six-year-old will never be walked down the aisle by her father.
Gigi also appeared in a video where she proudly declares "!" after her dad’s death sparked a global protest movement
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Protesters from Paris to London took to the streets in the wake of George Floyd's death