George Floyd, the Black man who was killed by Minneapolis police during an arrest back in May, is the subject of a traveling art installation in Richmond this week. Members of Floyd’s family are in town to unveil the display to the public at the Robert E. Lee monument Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.
Change.org and the George Floyd Foundation are launching “The George Floyd Hologram Memorial Project” in Richmond. The installation is a hologram of fireflies that form into an image of Floyd, with his name in graffiti. The hologram will temporarily replace former confederate statues as a symbolic call to continue the fight for racial justice.
https://youtu.be/pPKvDDYlTtc Preview night. Video: Coleman Jennings/VPM News
Floyd's brother Philonise “P.J.” Floyd said during a small gathering Monday night for a first look at the project that it is a painful image to witness.
“I’m hurting right now,” Floyd said. “I’m happy to be here. But it’s just hard just being here, looking at my brother...Never thought I’d see my brother on a hologram. Always thought that we would grow old, fish and die off together.”
Floyd called for unity and an end to racism.
“Starting right here, where it should have been started years ago, we can start here right now and put it together. We can have unity,” Floyd said. “That’s what my brother would want.”
On Tuesday during the public unveiling, Floyd’s family was greeted in the median, now known as Marcus David Peters Circle, with musical performances and spoken word poetry.
At the foot of the Robert E. Lee Statue on monument avenue, Floyd thanked protesters for their continued fight for racial justice.
“My brother’s death will not be in vain, because we have people like you, and you and you and you," he said, pointing to the crowd of several hundred people.
Local activist Sherri Robinson said the Floyd family brought new energy to Richmond.
“It’s definitely a good way to motivate us in this movement. We just want to make sure that we stay focused," Robinson said.
The African American Heritage Group Untold RVA performed along with Richmond Drum Collective and No BS! Brass Band.
The “George Floyd Hologram Memorial Project” was designed by Kaleida Imaging and projected by local Virginia company, Quince Imaging. It will travel to multiple locations throughout the country after leaving Richmond.
*Editor's Note: This story has been updated with copy, video and photos from the public unveiling that happened the day after the press preview.
