Activists, protesters plan George Floyd memorial in downtown Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - It’s been one year since the death of George Floyd, when a Minneapolis police officer knelt with his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes.

The video of the incident sparked nationwide outrage, including 59-straight nights of protest in downtown Lexington.

Tuesday night, some of those same people gathered in front of the courthouse to remember Floyd and talk about how much work needed to be done. We didn’t see the same number of people as we did a year ago when hundreds marched, but many of the aspects were exactly the same.

The signature chants, the marching in unison, and the powerful signs all filled downtown Lexington again, marking one year since Floyd’s death.

While charges filed in his case brought some justice, LPD Accountability members say there’s still a long way to go, nationally and locally.

“Honestly a lot, but one of the best things I’ve heard is tell friends, get people involved,” Kendra Long said.

Kendra’s son, Liam Long, is a teen who was hit by a Lexington police cruiser while fleeing. His case is one LPD Accountability says shows the lack of transparency in the police department. And for Kendra, it was a wake up call.

“I was very naive, I was unaffected which is good for all of those unaffected but when you are affected, your ignorance is erased and you have to face the truth,” Kendra said.

While she searches for answers in her son’s case, she says they’ll be fighting for justice in every other case.

“I told him now his only job is to be a civil rights advocate, that’s what he’s gonna do when he grows up,” Kendra said.

“Yeah I want to support, I want to support that because George Floyd, that was wrong,” Liam said.

The group marched to police headquarters where they played a song and held candles in memory of George Floyd.

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