George Floyd mourned in Houston

A steady stream of people, lined up in two columns, entered The Fountain of Praise church in southwest Houston on Monday afternoon to pay their respects to 46-year-old George Floyd, who died May 25 in police custody in Minneapolis.

Some people held signs, wore T-shirts or hats with Floyd's image or his haunting last words: "I can't breathe." In front of his open casket, some saluted, some bowed, some crossed their hearts and some waved goodbye.

People started to gather in front of the church a couple of hours before noon when the public viewing of Floyd began in his hometown. Some had come long distances to attend the event.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also came to pay their respect to Floyd. Afterward, Abbott told media that he had met with Floyd's family in private.

"This is the most horrific tragedy I've ever personally observed," Abbott said. "George Floyd is going to change the arc and the future of the United States. George Floyd has not died in vain. His life will be a living legacy about the way that America and Texas respond to this tragedy."

Abbott said he is already working with legislators and is committed to working with the family to "ensure we never have anything like this ever occur in the state of Texas". He implied that there may be a "George Floyd Act" to "make sure we will not have police brutality like what happened to George Floyd".

Joe Biden, former vice-president and current presidential candidate, came to Houston to meet Floyd's family in private.

Biden didn't want his Secret Service detail to disrupt the service, so he decided not to attend Tuesday's funeral, CNN reported. Instead, Biden recorded a video message for Tuesday's memorial service.

Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump tweeted that Biden shared the family's woe during his private meeting: "Listening to one another is what will begin to heal America. That's just what VP@JoeBiden did with the family of #GeorgeFloyd — for more than an hour. He listened, heard their pain, and shared in their woe. That compassion meant the world to this grieving family."

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, actor Kevin Hart and rappers Master P and Ludacris also came to honor Floyd.

Houston's mayor requested that mayors nationwide illuminate their city halls in crimson and gold Monday night to remember Floyd. Those are the colors of Houston's Jack Yates High School, where Floyd graduated.

The mayors of numerous US cities including New York, Los Angeles and Miami agreed to participate, according to Turner's office.

"This will pay tribute to George Floyd, demonstrate support for his family and show a commitment by the nation's mayors to promote good policing and accountability," Turner said.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Floyd graduated from Jack Yates in 1992 and played on the school's football team. Before moving to Minneapolis, he was active in the Houston music scene and rapped with a group called Screwed Up Clik.

A vigil for Floyd was held at the high school Monday night.

"The Alumni of Jack Yates is deeply saddened and enraged over the senseless murder of our beloved Lion. We wish to express our support for the family and friends of Mr. Floyd. We along with millions of others across the world demand Justice for this Injustice. We are asking all current and former Jack Yates Alumni to wear Crimson and Gold," the school said in a statement.

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who has been charged with killing Floyd by pressing his knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes, made his first court appearance Monday. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

He appeared before Hennepin County Judge Denis Reilly on closed-circuit television from the the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights in Stillwater, outside Minneapolis. He did not speak during his 11-minute hearing, where his bail was set at $1.25 million.

Three other former police officers present when Floyd died — Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao — were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Their bails were set at $1 million each.

All bail amounts can be reduced by a $250,000 each when certain conditions are met. The next court appearance for all four is set for June 29.

On Tuesday morning, a private funeral will be held at The Fountain of Praise followed by a burial next to his mother at Houston Memorial Gardens in Pearland.