Today I got to speak with George Floyd's uncle, Selwyn Jones, who is from SD and plans to attend a march set this weekend in Rapid City in George's memory. Here's the story and some things Selwyn wants you to know about his nephew & the issue. (thread) https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/state-and-regional/south-dakota-man-speaks-out-about-nephew-george-floyd-s-death-remembers-his-gentle-nature/article_7d3ef4e0-c157-583b-873a-a2f209a1a89a.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_RCJournal

George Floyd, 46, had a big smile and was always laughing. Family & friends knew him as a "gentle giant." “He always had a smile on his face,” Jones said. “He was always smiling and laughing.” He had three children and worked as a bouncer in Minneapolis at Conga Latin Bistro.

Jones said he and his nephew were very close, and remembers Floyd texted him to wish him a happy birthday May 22, the last communication they shared together.

“George would have given the shirt off of his back” for anyone, Jones said.

George Floyd died in police custody Monday in Minneapolis after an officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes while Floyd laid handcuffed on the street.

"That’s absolutely horrifying to see someone that’s loved get put into that situation,” Jones said.

The video has millions of views, and that’s “millions of people who have seen my nephew get murdered in the streets of Minneapolis, for what reason?" Jones said. He said he's grateful for Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who posted the video & stayed close to Floyd filming.

Without her, “none of this would have ever been known," Jones said. "She's an angel. She is my hero right now."

If the officer who kneeled on Floyd's neck is arrested, "I will be at every hearing, every trial, because I'm going to see this one through," Jones said.

If they do receive jail time, the amount of time they receive “is going to absolutely mean nothing to me, his kids, his nephews, his nieces, his sisters, his brother, because we don’t get to see him and his big smile anymore," Jones said.

Jones said many people who are heartfelt about the issue who are rioting in Minneapolis and across the country about Floyd’s death are “taking advantage of a bad situation to express anger.” Jones said that's not the point he and others are trying to make.

The walk in memoriam of George Floyd is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park in Rapid City. Jones said he hopes it stays peaceful, and he hopes to schedule another walk in Sioux Falls for the future.

“I don’t know if this will ever change,” Jones said. But as stories of Floyd’s life gain more attention and more demonstrations take place, “I think we have an opportunity to get our word out a little bit farther than ever before.” (end thread)