Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum attend George Floyd's funeral
By Zach Harper
Jamie Foxx and Channing Tatum attended the funeral service for George Floyd in Houston on June 9.
The memorial was held at the Fountain of Praise church in the city. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton presided over the service.
Jamie also spoke with many members of George's family, including one of his brothers, Rodney, and was seen hugging Al. Channing also greeted and shook hands with the reverend.
Former NBA star Stephen Jackson, who grew up with George, was also at the service.
Jamie greets Rodney Floyd at the service. Photo: © DAVID J. PHILLIP/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Singer Ne-Yo performed an emotional version of Boyz II Men's hit "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" during the memorial.
Ne-yo fought back tears as he sang at #GeorgeFloyd’s funeral. pic.twitter.com/9AREZAzJbD
— Anna-Lysa Gayle (@AnnaLysaGayle) June 9, 2020
George was a 46-year-old Black man who was killed on May 25 after a police officer in Minneapolis – who has since been fired – pressed his knee into his neck for nearly nine minutes. Protests have erupted across the United States and around the world as a result of George's death.
That ex-officer and three other former officers have all been arrested and are facing charges.
Al hugged Jamie at the service. Photo: © Godofredo A. Vásquez - Pool/Getty Images
"I'm going to miss my brother a whole lot and I love you," LaTonya Floyd, his sister, said during the service, according to the Associated Press. "And I thank God for giving me my own personal Superman."
Former U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, currently running for president, also gave a eulogy during the service.
Grief is a heavy burden to bear — and it's even harder with the eyes of the world watching. I know. But that burden is now a purpose — to change the world for the better in the name of George Floyd.
That's the message I shared with his loved ones during today's service: pic.twitter.com/2LKJzwBUSO— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 9, 2020
"No child should have to ask questions that too many Black children have had to ask for generations: Why?" he said. "Now is the time for racial justice. That is the answer we must give to our children when they ask why."
Jamie has been very active at demonstrations since George died. He and Stephen attended a protest on May 29 in Minneapolis, at which Jamie gave a speech. He brought his children to another demonstration and posted photos on Instagram.
"Having my kids with me... was bitter sweet," he wrote. "Having them watch the world come together was beautiful... But having to explain to them why we were all there was heartbreaking... Let's change the world so they don't have to live in it the way we have been."
