Fact Check

Does This Picture Show George Floyd with a Bible?

Floyd was a devout Christian who mentored others.

Published June 1, 2020

 (Twitter)
Image Via Twitter
Article 29 of 29 in Collection
Claim:
A photograph shows George Floyd holding up a Bible.

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In late May 2020, social media users circulated an image of tall, hat-wearing man holding up a Bible with captions stating that the image depicted George Floyd, the unarmed black man who died on May 25 while in police custody in Minneapolis, sparking nationwide outrage, protests and unrest.

Video showing Floyd pinned on the ground by then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who held his knee on Floyd's neck as Floyd pleaded that he could not breathe before he lost consciousness, sparked widespread condemnation and protests and destruction across the country.

The image of Floyd with the Bible is below:

The image appears to have been first published in a news article by Christianity Today, a news magazine that covers the Christian community. We reached out Nijalon Dunn, who is listed in the caption as having provided the image to Christianity Today, and Dunn confirmed that the image is real.

According to Christianity Today, Floyd was a devout Christian who worked to mentor and spread faith to members of his neighborhood, the Third Ward in Houston, where he lived before relocating to Minneapolis for a job opportunity. The magazine reported:

Before moving to Minneapolis for a job opportunity through a Christian work program, the 46-year-old spent almost his entire life in the historically black Third Ward, where he was called “Big Floyd” and regarded as an “OG,” a de-facto community leader and elder statesmen, his ministry partners say.

Floyd spoke of breaking the cycle of violence he saw among young people and used his influence to bring outside ministries to the area to do discipleship and outreach, particularly in the Cuney Homes housing project, locally known as “the Bricks.”

Chauvin, who was fired along with three other officers seen in the video shortly after it went public, has been charged with murder.

Article 29 of 29 in Collection

Sources

Shellnutt, Kate. "George Floyd Left a Gospel Legacy in Houston."   Christianity Today. 30 May 2020.

Chiong, Xao and Paul Walsh. "Ex-Police Officer Derek Chauvin Charged with Murder, Manslaughter in George Floyd Death."   Star Tribune. 30 May 2020.

Bethania Palma is a journalist from the Los Angeles area who started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and has covered everything from crime to government to national politics. She has written for ... read more

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