The newly unveiled 700-pounds bronze statue of George Floyd in Newark, has invoked the memory of African American City, in New Jersey.

Floyd, whose death sparked a global outcry against police brutality and racial injustice had his one year death anniversary celebrated last month with the US president inviting his family to the White House.

Minnesota Police officer, Derek Chauvin, who has been charged and found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter was caught on camera while kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than 9 minutes while the latter pled for breath.

The statue depicts Floyd sitting on a bench, and was commissioned by actor and filmmaker Leon Pinkeye and sculpted by artist, Stanley Watts as a donation to the City.

According to CBS News, Mayor of Newark, Ras, J. Baraka said during the unveiling ceremony that Floyd “represents a lot more than himself at this juncture in history.”

“All of the activity that took place around this country because of the untimely and vicious murder of George Floyd, and all the activism that sparked out of it, is worth us pausing and paying attention to. Hopefully when people walk by it… it inspires them to become active in the struggles that are happening right here in Newark and right here in New Jersey”.

The Newspaper quoted the Newark City officials as saying that the statue will remain in its place for at least one year in recognition of the national impact of Floyd’s death.

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