FedEx has revealed that it has fired one of its employees after a video showing a man reenacting and mocking the death of George Floyd surfaced on social media.
During a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Franklinville, New Jersey on Monday, a group of men were recorded antagonizing the protesters as they marched by.
Per The Independent, two of the men, who were later identified as James (also known as Jim) and Joe Demarco, could be seen standing in front of a truck decorated with signs reading "All Lives Matter" and "Trump".
The men then shamelessly reenacted Floyd's arrest, as one of the men laid down on the floor while the other kneeled on his neck.
As the protesters walk past, the man can be heard yelling:
The disgusting footage can be seen in the tweets below:"This is what happens – comply with the cops. He's dead because he didn't comply."
Footage of Floyd's arrest caused global outrage after fired Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin was recorded kneeling on the 46-year-old's neck for nearly nine minutes.
Twitter users promptly identified the men and tagged their respective employers. One Twitter user wrote:
"James Demarco of Franklinville apparently thinks the death of George Floyd was funny enough to mock how he was killed, under a knee. I wonder how funny his employer @FedEx thinks it is?"
FedEx promptly responded to the videos, writing on their official Twitter account:
"The behavior depicted in the video, which involved a FedEx employee, is appalling and offensive. The employee in question was immediately removed from all FedEx work duties while our investigation is concluded and all internal procedures are followed.
"FedEx holds its team members to a high standard of personal conduct, and we do not tolerate the kind of appalling and offensive behavior depicted in this video. The individual involved is no longer employed by FedEx. We stand with those who support justice and equality."
Joe Demarco also didn't get away unscathed, either.
A statement from the New Jersey Department of Corrections revealed that Joe has been suspended from his role as a corrections officer at Bayside State Prison as a result of the backlash. They also confirmed that an investigation is currently taking place in to the video.
However, many thought that their response was not sufficient, and called for Joe Demarco to be fired from his position.
The Independent reports that Mayor John Bruno has said that he was left "appalled and saddened" by the "revolting actions" depicted in the videos.
Yesterday, George Floyd was laid to rest during an emotional ceremony in Houston, Texas.
The 46-year-old died shortly after being arrested by four former Minneapolis police officers.
Speaking at his funeral, Floyd's niece, Brooke Williams, said to those in attendance (referring to her uncle by his middle-name, Perry): "As long as I'm breathing justice will be served for Perry.
"My uncle was a father, brother, uncle, and a cousin to many. Spiritually grounded, an activist, he always moved people with his words. Those officers showed no remorse as they watched my uncle’s soul leave his body.
"He begged and pleaded many times just for you to get up, but you just pushed harder."
Derek Chauvin - the 19-year veteran - currently faces the most serious charges of the four ex-cops: second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
The other three men assisting in Floyd's arrest - Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng, and Tou Thao - have been charged with abetting murder, as well as aiding and abetting manslaughter.
This news 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.
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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