Biden calls for racial justice during funeral speech for George Floyd [Video]

• Former Vice President Joe Biden called for racial justice during his virtual remarks at George Floyd’s funeral in Houston on Tuesday.
• Biden declared, “We must not turn away” from racism and “systemic abuse.”
• The Democratic presidential hopeful had declared last week that he would fight systemic racism as president.

Former Vice President Joe Biden called for racial justice when he delivered his virtual remarks during George Floyd’s funeral in Houston on Tuesday.

As hundreds of mourners gathered at the Fountain of Praise church to honor Floyd, Biden delivered his virtual address from his Delaware home. 

Floyd had died last month after a white police officer kneeled into his neck for several minutes. The arresting officer, along with the other three involved officers, has since been fired and is currently facing charges.

Biden, who supports the ongoing peaceful protests, declared in his virtual address: “We can’t turn away. We must not turn away.”

“We cannot leave this moment thinking we can once again turn away from racism that stings at our very soul, from systemic abuse that still plagues American life,” the former vice president continued. 

Biden first met privately with the Floyd family on Monday. He empathized with the family for having to grieve in front of the nation.  

Biden said, “We know you will never feel the same again. Unlike most, you must grieve in public. It is a burden. A burden that is now your purpose to change the world for the better in the name of George Floyd.” 

Biden then directly addressed Floyd’s six-year-old daughter, Gianna, saying, “I know you have a lot of questions, honey. No child should have to ask questions that too many Black children have had to ask for generations: ‘Why? Why is daddy gone?’”

Biden has met with several members of the Black community since Floyd’s death.

Last week, the Democratic presidential hopeful detailed how he would fight systemic racism as president.

Biden has shown his support for the peaceful protests; however, he does not agree with calls to defund or abolish police departments. Instead, he proposed establishing internal reforms.

“No, I don’t support defunding the police,” Biden told CBS News on Monday evening. “I support conditioning federal aid to police based on whether or not they meet certain basic standards of decency and honorableness.”

Source: The Hill