Oklahomans Reflect On Year, Change Since George Floyd's Death

Today marks one year since George Floyd was murdered by a now-former Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. The video, seen around the world, sparked conversations and change right here in the metro.

Just days following Floyd's death, large crowds could be seen marching and chanting throughout the streets in downtown Oklahoma City, demanding justice and change.  

One Oklahoma City police officer recalled that week, he said what happened a year ago can be a building block for everyone.

"We are not, a year later, where we were last year. We are talking more," Lt. Wayland Cubit said. "We are stepping into uncomfortable conversations, but yet, we still have a ways to go."

However, others believe we've taken a step back.  Adriana Laws, who helped organize some of the protests said they wanted police accountability and lasting change.

"I came into this work knowing there wasn't going to be an easy fix," Laws said. "That nothing was going to change overnight."

"People were really, for the first time in a long time, reconning with racial inequality in our country in all manner of ways," Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said.

Holt said Floyd's death started conversations about law enforcement. He said he understands these issues aren't something that will be resolved quickly. However, he feels the city is moving in the right direction since Floyd's death.

"Many different efforts that did not exist in April of 2020," Holt said. "Efforts that are trying to bring racial equality here to Oklahoma City."