After the death of George Floyd last week, many responded with protests, essays, social media blasts, and donations to racial justice groups. Since Tuesday, about 44,000 people have channeled their grief, anger, and money into something more specific: the GoFundMe page to support Floyd’s youngest daughter, 6-year-old Gianna Floyd.
“Because of her father’s tragic murder due to police brutality, Gianna will now go through life without her dad,” reads the GoFundMe page set up by Stewart Trial Attorneys, which represents Gianna and her mother, Roxie Washington. “In addition, their family has lost their provider, and will no doubt suffer financial hardship after this tragic loss.”
As of Thursday — the day a memorial for Floyd will be held at 1 p.m. in Minneapolis — the page has raised $1,358,980 of its stated $1.5 million goal. The law firm later added that none of the proceeds will go to the family’s legal expenses but will be entirely for Gianna and her mom.
“As a community, we want to come together in this time of need and assist Gianna’s mother, Roxie Washington, by donating whatever we can to help provide mental and grief counseling for George Floyd’s youngest child, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist Roxie (Gianna’s mother) in providing for their child’s continued well-being and education.”
On Tuesday, Washington and her daughter made their first public statements after Floyd’s death. Washington said in a press conference that she “wanted everybody to know that this is what those officers took,” which was Gianna’s chance to have a father.
“At the end of the day, they get to go home and be with their families,” Washington said through tears. Gianna does not have a father. He will never see her grown up, graduate. He will never walk her down the aisle. If there’s a problem, and she needs a dad, she does not have that anymore.”
Gianna herself became a social media sensation this week, as people watched her sit on the shoulders of her dad’s friend, former NBA player Stephen Jackson, and declare, “Daddy changed the world!”
Gianna, as well as Floyd’s adult children, would probably rather have their dad back instead.
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