On May 25th, 2020, a police officer by the name of Derek Chauvin arrested 45 year-old African American athlete, George Perry Floyd Jr., for suspected counterfeit. Floyd did not resist and compiled. However, Derek Chauvin proceeded to knee on Floyd’s neck for 7 minutes and 46 seconds even after Floyd repeatedly begged and stated he couldn’t breathe. Floyd was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital moments after. Floyd’s death stimulated the start of a powerful movement: the Black Lives Matter Movement, which advocates for non-violent civil disobedience and anti-racial discrimination in America. 

 

As an organization formed by students who are made up of the model minority, we feel that it is our responsibility to speak up and take action about the injustice happening right now. Hopestic stands in solidarity with the black community. As the next generation, we must make our voices heard and educate others on the systemic racism rooted deep in our Country. There must be a change in the justice system in order to stop innocent lives from being taken. We will not stay silent, and will strive to open the minds and hearts of those that are staying silent. In order to support this movement, Hopestic is advocating and raising awareness on Instagram by making informative posts every day during the ongoing protest. Many of our members even personally showed up at the protest to support this ongoing movement.