Pilot creates tribute to George Floyd with incredible flight path

A pilot has paid tribute to George Floyd by creating an incredible flight path over Canada.

This comes as unrest continues to unfold across the US, as protests - some peaceful, some violent - are calling out the systemic injustices carried out against black people, not least seen by the recent deaths of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.

While flying over Nova Scotia on Thursday, Dimitri Neonakis mapped out the symbol of a raised Black Power fist while flying over 530km - a symbol of the Black Lives Matter movement.

He subsequently took to Facebook to share his powerful tribute to Floyd, who died after being arrested on May 25.

"For George. Today I flew this 330 nautical mile flight pattern which took the shape of a movement symbol which I respect and support," Neonakis wrote on Facebook. He added:

"While I was up there moving around free, the words of George Floyd 'I can't Breathe' came to mind a few times, a stark contrast.

"I see a World of one race in multi colours - this is the World I see, and this is my message!! End Racism."

It took Neonakis two-and-a-half hours to make the trip, and in an interview with CNN, he said he made the symbol to express his feelings over Floyd's death.

"I feel the need to speak out and my way is in the air," he said, adding: "Even though no one is going to see it, it makes me feel good... I know it's for them, the people oppressed over the years.

"We all have to speak out and we have to end it. There are no borders when it comes to racism."

Perhaps one of the well-known demonstrations of the Black Power fist occurred at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

During the medal ceremony for the 200m race United States gold medalist Tommie Smith and bronze medalist John Carlos wore Olympic Project for Human Rights badges and raised a fist as the national anthem played.

Alongside them was silver medalist Peter Norman, a white Australian sprinter who wore an OPHR (Olympic Project for Human Rights) badge to show his support for the two black athletes.

As well as a call for justice, these ongoing protests are also demanding an end to police brutality and the racism that is so deeply entrenched in America and the western world.

The message is simple: Black lives matter.

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