Family, friends honour George Floyd with a private funeral

Family and friends honoured George Floyd with a private funeral Tuesday in the U.S. city of Houston, two weeks after his death in police custody inspired renewed protests against police brutality in numerous cities across the country.

After the funeral, Houston police will escort the funeral procession to the nearby city of Pearland, where Floyd will be buried next to his mother.

Houston’s city hall was lit up Monday night in crimson and gold, the colors of the high school Floyd attended, in remembrance of his life. Other cities joined the effort, with crimson and gold lights shining on city halls in Los Angeles, Boston, Oakland, Las Vegas, New York and elsewhere.

The public had their chance to pay their respects Monday, as thousands of people streamed through The Fountain of Praise church to view Floyd’s open casket.

Memorials were also held last week in Minneapolis and Raeford, North Carolina, near where Floyd was born.

Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott was among those who paid tribute Monday. He told reporters outside the church that he will include Floyd’s family in discussions about police reform.

“George Floyd has not died in vain. His life will be a living legacy about the way that America and Texas responds to this tragedy,” Abbott said.

Outside the church, organizers assembled a large floral arrangement with white roses to spell the initials BLM for Black Lives Matter.