Darnella Frazier (18), the teenager who filmed the murder of George Floyd by a police officer, has been given a special journalism award by the Pulitzer Prize board. She was awarded the citation for her courage, the Pulitzer committee said. The Pulitzers are the most prestigious journalism awards in the US.
Her film started protests for racial justice around the world and was used as evidence in the trial that convicted police officer Derek Chauvin.
The committee said they honoured her for “courageously recording the murder of George Floyd, a video that spurred protests against police brutality around the world, highlighting the crucial role of citizens in journalists’ quest for truth and justice.”
Ms Frazier came across the arrest of Floyd while walking with her cousin in Minneapolis on 25 May last year. She told a court that she recorded the incident on her phone because she “saw a man terrified, begging for his life”.
Ms Frazier described hearing Floyd saying ‘I can’t breathe’. “He was terrified, he was calling for his mom” she added.
To many, Floyd’s death while in police custody became a symbol of police brutality, particularly against people of colour. It sparked worldwide demonstrations for racial justice.
Derek Chauvin, the accused policeman, was later found guilty on three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. At the murder trial, Ms Frazier told the court that witnessing Floyd’s death had changed her life.
“When I look at George Floyd I look at my dad, I look at my brother, my cousins, my uncles – because they are all black,” she said, audibly crying.
“And I look at how that could have been one of them.”
Source: bbc.com