By Simdi Gloria:-
Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old girl who pulled out her cell phone and recorded the police killing of George Floyd on May 25 has been given an award for her bravery.
She captured former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin pressing his knee into George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, in what turned out to be Floyd’s final moments as she had gone out to the store with her younger cousin that day.
She shared the video on social media and it went viral and sparked a global protest against police brutality and racism worldwide.
Frazier was honored for her bravery on Tuesday, December 8, by PEN America, an organization that promotes free expression. She received the organization’s courage award.
“With nothing more than a cell phone and sheer guts, Darnella changed the course of history in this country, sparking a bold movement demanding an end to systemic anti-Black racism and violence at the hands of police,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel said in a statement.
“With remarkable steadiness, Darnella carried out the expressive act of bearing witness, and allowing hundreds of millions around the world to see what she saw,” Nossel’s statement read. “Without Darnella’s presence of mind and readiness to risk her own safety and wellbeing, we may never have known the truth about George Floyd’s murder.”
Frazier who is a high school senior in Minneapolis thanked the organization for the honor at the virtual gala.
“I never would imagine out of my whole 17 years of living that this will be me,” she said.
“It’s just a lot to take in, but I couldn’t say thank you enough for everything that’s been coming towards me.”
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