it is at the fountain of praise church houston is the city where george floyd grew up do the people mourn him as one of their own. told me if you look at the amount of people who came here then yes so the whole area surrounding the church was just and with traffic jams thousands of people lined up here today to get into the fountain of praise church to take a last look a glimpse on on george floyd the body was laid out here throughout the day so thousands of people but not only members of the black community also a lot of white people who joined the black lives matter movement as we've seen already in recent days and weeks and not only in the united states but also internationally so it was a very sad day but i heard many people say also that they were hopeful and there is that george floyd did not die in vain but let's listen in because i had the opportunity today to speak to some of the visitors here. well this is them important in our world and i feel bad it is necessary for me to be here i'm born as a human being for the human race and then being an african-american man it is i wouldn

when he is all over salad is at the fountain of praise church in houston texas good afternoon to you houston is the city where george floyd grew up are the people there are they mourning him as one of their own. well if you look at the line brand that are forming outside the fountain of praise church then yes of course and he spent many years of his life in houston let's not forget that the lines of very long people are trying to get inside to see the body of george floyd that is laid out inside the church today is the day of the public viewing people a lining up to pay their final respects to george floyd you see a lot of members of the black community but of course also white people joining in and it's a sad atmosphere but also if i spoke to people to a participants' year earlier and they also told me that they're up to mystic because of the worldwide response to this movement that was created and that george floyd did not die in vain they told me and we understand over the former us vice president joe biden he is traveling to houston today to meet with the family of george floyd w

he is at the fountain of praise church in houston texas good afternoon to you all over she used to it is the city where george floyd grew up it's the city where he's going to say a final goodbye the people there are they mourning him in. one of their own. well it looks like it brant simply if you look at the amount of people that are attending today's public viewing here at the fountain of praise church the lines of very long thousands are expected to throughout the day here there's a lot of traffic jam in the surrounding area and you know people waiting to get in side of the church where the body of george floyd is laid out people want to bid farewell and pay their final respects to them of course and not only members of the black community by the way also white people. who are supporting the black life matter movement as we've seen also in other countries not only in the united states in recent days and weeks now. of course the atmosphere is a sad one but there's also some optimism but let's just listen in because i have the chance to speak to some of the people attending today's pu

houston. we've seen a stream of folks making their way into the fountain of praise church behind me. anwhile, about 14 miles east of here, members of houston's tight-knit third ward community where floyd grew up, they are also paying tribute. that's where we find nbc's priscilla thompson, once again. first of all, priscilla, how is george floyd being remembered there today? >> reporter: craig, many of the folks who aren't on the guest list to get into that private ceremony are coming here to this mural that was erected to pay tribute to him. we've seen folks leaving flowers, teddy bears, balloons, even wreaths. this isn't something that has just touched the third ward community, it's stretched across the houston area. i just spoke today shah who drove here with her 7-year-old son. tell me why it was important for you to come here today and bring your son. >> i wanted to make him aware of everything. he is on the spectrum, so it's difficult to translate everything, but this is very important to us. we're here in support of mr. floyd, his family and in support of all african-americans.

pandemic to pay their respects to george floyd in houston the city where he grew up in the past few minutes his coffin is arrived at the fountain of praise church in houston where mourners have gathered to pay their final respects the funeral due to get under way in around 2 hours from now george floyd was killed just over 2 weeks ago when a police officer knelt on his neck during an arrest al-jazeera is john hendren is in houston. george floyd's final journey brought him to his childhood home. this is my way of speaking out just by being present i would like to know how that's going to the top of my lungs because i know so many black like a speaker every black man but for every one that i know someone has a friend a family member or a relative someone that from police brutality and you need to stop at fountain of praise cheer. mourners paid their respects to the open casket inside some who knew him others inspired by the national movement his death represents every one city so you can see why we need to do it so we don't have to do this again be the last sunday we did as a concert. as a collective holiday disobey to last me in a room they came

protests against racism and police brutality is taking place right now at the fountain of praise church in houston texas friends and members of lloyd's family have been speaking strongly and eloquently about the man that they knew and loved we're going to go live to houston in just a moment but 1st let's hear what some of those friends and family members have been saying about a man named george flow. now that we thank you for this celebration we thank you for the life of joy it's oh i don't got that at a moment when he caught up for you mama we believe that mama it's nice. that the premise. for redemption grants. for man upon this world because somebody must come out that george ward was not expendable this is why we're here. this. was not he was born black. that was his only crime george florey. these serve the dignity and the respect that we are court all people simply because they are children of a common god and it's very unfortunate that we have to be here but we're going to celebrate the life of your floor today. no more hate crowds. so i said make america great again but when you bring gre

let's go back to our correspondent john hendren here is standing outside the fountain of praise church in houston texas where that sadness for george point is currently being held john obviously a very somber day today but also a day as we've been saying to celebrate george floyd's life took us through what we can expect over the next few hours. well this is the program that they've been handing out and the number of items on it is really impressive there are members of congress speaking 2 of them the mayor of houston issues to police chief is attending that their money and was out here just a little while ago and then you've got the vice president of the united states giving a videotaped message and the only reason he's not here in person we're told is that the family was concerned that the security arrangements for him might be disruptive so you got 500 people in there listening to this hundreds more outside and there have been thousands filing past the casket of george ford and this is really the 4th of 4 ceremonies there was a ceremony in minneapolis one in north carolina where he was born a

and dw's olivers is at the fountain of praise church in houston, texas.ouston is the city where he grew up, the city where he will say a final goodbye. are the people there morning him as one of their own? oliver: well, it l looks like i, brent. if you look at the amount of pepeople attending today's publc viewing here at the fountain of praise, the lines are very long. thousands are expected throughout the day. there is a lot of traffic jamming the surrounding areas. people are waiting to get inside the church where the body of george floyd is laid out. people want to bid farewell and pay their final respects to them , of course. not only members of the black community, but also white people who are supporting the black lives matter movement, as we have seen also in other countrieies, not only the united states, and in recent days and weeks. now, o of course, ththe atmospre isis a a sad one, but there is o some optimism, but let's lilistn in bececause i had a chance to speak to some of the peoeople attending today's public viewing. >> well, this is an n

houston something. i feel go welcome to the program will george floyd surf you know i a big gun so that the stars go live to the service at the fountain of praise church in houston texas. right. here on this earth and if god use them it is to expand his name throughout the world to make. a. god bless you to all of our dignitaries to see man turning i thank you a preacher. you have a job when you finish your term here in the city of us and we thank god for his leadership a man a man the program calls for believe there's another video montage that is about to occur and we thank god for the young lady who was with them together. these videos . somebody still sounded great but the things he has done. oh yeah. and to hill says the video artist who has put together these montages but i want to ask the members of the family who are going to come up and speak at this time if you would please make your way to the stage catalin mcgee brady. travis kane's mr cyril wright and sarah white rather and as they come up there is a tribute being sung that will be sung by r. b. artists neo. that will be followed by one of the jack yates alumni who was offering a poem or

salud is in houston texas at the fountain of praise church where the funeral was held we talked to him just after the service and we asked him about his impressions of the day. that's right brennan it has really been an emotional day and you just heard people speak here 500 guests came to the ceremony the closest family members of george floyd as well as friends politicians civil rights activists so it was a fairly big event with of course the sad atmosphere but at the same time george floyd's family wanted to make sure that today the life of george floyd would be celebrated and in the tradition of the african-american church that was done with lots of cheerful gospel music so there was a hopeful and positive aspect to this too as a lot of people also put their hopes in the death of george floyd that this would bring change to racial inequality in the united states and around the world and we heard strong speeches of a video message by joe biden the likely democratic candidate for the presidency a very empathic message and then also congress people like al green and he said that now th

global protests a 6 hour public viewing of the coffin is taking place at the fountain of praise church in houston where he was raised and he lived before moving to minneapolis several years ago the funeral service will be held on tuesday. the fountain of praise church a welcome all of that tell us more about what's happening today. all right phil you just mention of the remains of. george floyd have arrived here in houston at the fountain of praise church the city here in houston where george floyd spent many years of his life and today basically marks day one of 2 commemoration days his remains his body are laid out inside the church right behind me we are expecting thousands of visitors off the members of the public in fact who are going to pay their final tribute to george floyd here today so this is a public viewing here today tomorrow will be the actual funeral it's a very sad day of course not only for the black community here in houston but also for everyone who joined the black lives matter protests that we've seen in recent days and weeks in the u.s. and around the world. tomorrow's fune

. >> now madam president, yesterday the fountain of praise church in houston, texas. funeral service in the life of george floyd his death moved hundreds of thousands of people across america and around the world to peacefully march against police violence. today his brother, will testify in front ofit the house judiciay committee. it is hard to imagine the courage it takes so soon after the tragic offal and brutal loss of a family member to not only grieve in a national spotlight but to turn that pain into action. there have been many reasons for americans to meet shocked and outraged, angry frustrated with the injustice they've seen in the country. butee the entire floyd family is given the nation reason to hope. no democrats in the house and senate have proposed legislation that would directly respond to the issues of racial bias and excessive force in her police departments rated injustice in placing act would ban the use of chokehold,im limit the transfer military, to local apartment de. making easier to make the police accountable in his performs to help prevent

and the service is now over at the church in houston the fountain of praise church in houston texas and we are expecting the coffin to head towards the cemetery in a few procession any moment now and the family of george floyd to spoke movingly of their relative but we also heard. from the reverend al sharpton who gave the unity we are not fighting. soem disconnected incidents we are fighting an institutional mills. problem that has been allowed to permeate he says we were brought to these shores. and we are fighting wickedness and high praise. when you can put your knee on a man's neck and hold it there is a man it's in 4 to 6 seconds. that's not even normal to us the big. last known to a police officer there also the politicians are involved in a service and there was a message recorded a video message from joe biden the democratic presidential hopeful and former vice president he actually met george ford's family and personal monday but sent a message for the funeral today. purpose to season to listen to the. now is the time for racial justice that's the instruments give to our child

global protests a 6 hour public viewing of the coffin is taking place at the fountain of praise church in houston where he was raised and where he lived before moving to minneapolis several years ago the funeral will be held on tuesday. well calls for police reform in the u.s. are gaining momentum in the way of george floyd's death several u.s. cities saw mass rallies over the weekend with demonstrators demanding an end to police bias and their use of excessive force which is too often turned deadly. 2 weeks on from george floyd's killing they still come to grieve not only for him but for the searing injustices that plagued their nation. we won't change 6 time has not quelled their anger in minneapolis on sunday nor make a promise to dismantle the police department and start again. our connection is to end our city's toxic relationship with the media a list of police departments to answer police thing as we know it. elsewhere in the city the magnitude of the moment laid bare when a protester confronted magic friday. the crowd unloaded on the mayor when he disagreed with the moves. my. emotions we

houston for the final funeral service for george floyd. that service begins at 9:00 our time. mourners lined up outside the fountain of praise churchhouston yesterday for a six- hour public viewing service. george floyd was raised in houston and moved to minneapolis several years ago. today's funeral comes after his death in the custody of minneapolis police. we know the tragedies marked protests against racism around the world. >>> the city council will take up police use of force at their meeting today. it comes after san jose police chief said the department would limit the use of rubber bullets and ins us with more on that meeting. >> reporter: the police chief's announcement comes as the department of san jose investigates numerous complaints aboutforce during th matter protests in san jose over the past couple of weeks. in response, the police chief issued this memo saying, quote, effective immediately in crowd control situations, projectile impact weapons will only be used where a person is actively attacking an officer or another person, or when an armed agitator poses a threat. the mayor says it is a good first start. the

are now set to hear from the mess sylvester turner he is the america houston just to remind you we are in the fountain of praise church in houston and we are about half way through george floyd's funeral well let's have a listen in now to the merits of what you heard into this presentation let me just speak briefly say i mean i was on behalf of the city of houston let me thank this family for standing in the gap for your brother your father your cousin your family member. and let me thank you for your courage and your strength in representing him and representing us extremely well and then i want to thank you on behalf of this city for the seeking justice for joe while at the same time as thing people all around the world to do it to respectfully and peacefully on behalf of this city i think we owe a great deal of gratitude to this family and i want to thank. them i just say to you that people all over the world and elected officials on all levels are doing things that they otherwise might not have done had not done because of your because of judge you know i announced that and they say i will be creating this task fo

. >> reporter: among the 500 family and friends of floyd inside the fountain of praise church in houstone black american families who know their pain all too well, their children killed by police too. the families of ferguson's michael brown, new york's eric garner, and dallas's botham john attended the services offering their support. protests around the country pushing for police reform. the houston police chief himself demanding reform from the inside out. >> the community recognizes bad policing when they see it. and there are still too many instances where bad policing is tolerated. so we need to just say no. >> reporter: the houston mayor going further announcing at floyd's funeral an executive order to ban chokeholds among other reforms. >> and in this city, we will ban chokeholds and strangleholds. in this city we will require de-escalation. >> reporter: in minneapolis a judge approved a restraining order to stop police there from using neck restraints and choke holds. in los angeles, officials announcing a moratorium on one type of chokehold. a promise by a mayor to cut police f

you some pictures that we're getting from houston texas of course of there will be a private funeral service for george floyd at the fountain of praise church in houston the church's co-pastor mayor right called floyd's death and police custody the spark of a movement in the nation and the world. these pictures were from just a few moments ago as the casket arrives at the church ready for the private funeral service. which is due to get on the way in houston in a little over 2 hours time from now we will have full coverage throughout the rest of the day as events get on the way. here on al-jazeera. the the church and the the cemetery where the. burial will take place are about 1000 kilometers apart from each other. and the entombment will be private for just the family but there will of course be television coverage of that as i said we'll have live coverage. as the choice body will travel last mile of the procession in a horse drawn carriage 6 course of by the houston police department will take a short break we're going back with more of the day's top stories in just a few minutes and see if. those countries begin easing coronavirus restr

in police custody ignited global protests, is taking place right now at the fountain of praise church in houston, texas. friends and mourners of floyd's family have been speaking strongly and eloquently about the mantha they knew and loved. -- man that they knew and loved. we'll go live to houston in a moment, but first let's hear what those friends and family members have been saying about a man named george floyd. >> master, we thank you for this celebration. we thank you for the life of george floyd, o god. that at a moment when he called out f for his mama,a, we believ that the ears of mamas across this nation reared up. that the ears of mamas across this world heard him cry even though for one mama, all mamas began to wail. we began to wail for our children. we began to wail for our grandchildren. we wail for men across this world because of one mama's call. god, thank you. >> more hate crimes, please. someone said, make america great again. but when has america ever been great? [cheers and applause] those four officers were literarally on him for ninene minutes. and this is not just murder

death in police custody ignited a global protest is taking place right now at the felton of praise church in houston texas. friends and mourners of floyd's family have been speaking strongly and eloquently about the man that they knew and loved we will go live to houston in just a moment but 1st let's hear what some of those friends and family members have been saying about a man named george. now that we thank you for that liberation we thank you for the life of joy it's oh i don't got that at a moment when he caught up for you mama we believe that mom and the crime that they sent that really. on the front of. my family. to get our lives out forever that you are our grandson was regularly while for me and upon this where i'll pick up right now it's come out that by. nobody hate cross he's so i said make america great again but when he has america ever been great. those 4 officers were literally on him for not i mean and so they have a. this is not just murder a hate crime i believe my grandmother was right dear oh dear oh i'm sick come home baby you said if you it is fighting know what you're good

in houston to remember the life of the man who in death has become an international symbol of injustice. about. well we could join d.w. correspondent all of a solid outside the fountain of praise church in houston as people arrive for the few a welcome all of this today's event about celebrating george floyd awarding him. well 1st of all it is a very said event of course for the family of one of their last ones who has died and as you see in the report his body then was late yesterday for the public thousands came to see him to bid for a well many of the people i spoke to were in tears but there was also some optimism there that he did not die in vain that because of the protests his death has sparked something will really change when it comes to racial injustice in the united states and around the world and so there is another dimension to his death here is the pastor says they want to celebrate his life there are several civil rights activists who are going to speak at the funeral today as well as a congressman from washington d.c. that have already arrived and so the big hope of course for the blacklight matters movement for for the black community and for everyone else who cares

mourners lined up outside the fountain of praise church in houston yesterday for a six hour public hearing. george floyd was raised there in houston and moved to minneapolis several years ago. today's funeral comes two weeks after his death while in custody of minneapolis police. the tragedies as we know them have sparked protests against racial injustice and police brutality around the world. >>> in southern california, there were four separate sessions tomorrow -- to honor george floyd. a caravan of purses and cars left from four different locations in southern california. that caravan made its way to los angeles where mourners joined together for a memorial service on city streets. >>> the death of george floyd continues to spark demonstrations here and in the bay area. yesterday, a group hosted a black lives matter rally in richmond. they gathered at easter hill to hear several speakers denounce police brutality and racial injustice. scott fox flew over the scene yesterday as they saw a somber memorial. at one point, demonstrators took a need during the silent vigil in honor george flo

some 24,000 members, by the way, here at this particular church in houston, texas, the fountain of praise church. mr. capehart, a few minutes ago, mayor of houston sylvester turner made some news, announcing he plans to sign a series of executive orders today that will go into effect immediately. among those orders, banning chokeholds. we've seen this happen in a number of municipalities over the past week, jonathan. i was struck that mayor turner indicated that he had in fact spoken to the police union about these changes. it is difficult to understate how powerful police unions are in the united states of america. do you get the sense that unions are going to be on board with some of the changes that are being discussed? not so much on the federal level, but on the local level as well. >> craig, that is a very good question, because the answer is, i don't know. and i say "i don't know" because i was at "the new york daily news" on the editorial board and the pba, police benevolent association, that police union, is powerful. these police unions are powerful in their communities. and if

mourners many dressed in white streaming into the fountain of praise church there in houston.hose last moments, george floyd, last words, i can't breathe, become a rallying cry across this country and around across this world against racial ginjustice and police brutality. the speakers to expect today, the family's attorney and former vice president joe biden. now, after the service george floyd will travel his last mile in a horse-drawn carriage and buried next to his mother and you will remember he cried out for her during his final moments. >> victor, this, of course, is a private service. during a public tribute floyd's brothers remembered him as a 46-year-old father whose life and the movement that he has sparked by his memory has been so impactful here in the united states. let's listen. >> if he was told he would have to sacrifice his life to bring the world together, knowing him and he would have did it. >> wow. >> again, i love this love and we're hurting as a family and, you know, george we know, unfortunately, again, he's a family man. grea

on monday, a six hour viewing is being held at the fountain of praise church in houston. mourners will have a chance to file past his casket and pay their respects, many of whom have traveled from out of state to be hearsay floyd has become a powerful symbol of the need for change. >> we can come together. there can be change made. >> reporter: george floyd died two weeks ago in minneapolis. video of a police officer pressing his knee into floyd's neck sparked widespread protests. and a new debate about defunding police departments across the country. on sunday, a majority of the minneapolis city council called for the dismantling of the city's law enforcement agencies, drawing a mixed reaction from residents. >> divesting from that organization is the smartest idea that i never heard about. >> defunding the police in general is not the solution. >> reporter: in this election year, the services have taken under a political tone. former vice president mike pence traveling to houston to express his condolences first- hand, hoping to keep the spotlight on the fight >> for th

lester holt will join us from the fountain of praise church in houston. >>> in washington, d.c. today, house and senate democrats kneeled for eight minutes, 46 seconds in memory of floyd. they then unveiled a police reform plan which includes bans on choke holds and no-knock warrants and a national database to track police misconduct. >>> could the bay area's two biggest cities defund their police departments? mayor london breed is leading an effort to defund the sfpd and redirect some of that money to the african-american community. the police officers union is critical of the plan saying the mayor could still support the community without cutting police funds. san jose's mayor says defunding sjpd is simply a bad idea. >> the funding is not going to help us, and it's not going to help the very people we believe have been victims of systemic racism in this country. >> mayor liccardo and the police union do support reforms, however. sjpd just banned the use of rubber projectiles for the sole purpose of dispersing crowds. they now can only be used when an officer is being attacked

the memorial was held at the fountain of praise church in houston where he grew up and there will beso much for watching. hello again. for many of us, monday was a dry day with variable cloud, some spells of sunshine, and the skies looked like this for quite a few of us. however, we did see some heavy downpours across southwest england. looking at the forecast over the next few hours, we do still have quite a lot of cloud in the sky across the uk. there are a few clear spells for the majority. it's dry at the moment, so those temperatures ought to account for all the cloud — not too low, we're looking at 8—10 celsius as we start off tuesday morning. so i suppose a fresh start to the day, but we will see some further changes in our weather as we go through tuesday. although we start off on a dry note, we do have this weather system moving into the northwest, which will be bringing outbreaks of rain particularly to scotland and northern ireland. but it's the rain here which should arrive quite late in the day for england and wales, and it is a dry start, but we might see showers develo

that was nakitta foxx, director of praise and worship at houston's fountain of praise church. to us. that was quite something. give us a sense of the tone you would trying to strike and the message you are trying to send. thank you for having me. the tone i was trying to send today, first of all to the family, just to comfort them and to let them know that they are loved, not only by the people but by our god and just to give us some sense of hope, even with what is going on right now. we are all out and we are fighting for this cause and know that they are paid because they lost a loved one and we want them to be encouraged and to know that god is still worthy of praise and still loves them. you really made the music ring at a music plays a particular part in this kind of occasion. it is a comfort and also a rallying cry? a comfort and also a rallying es, a comfort and also a rallying cry? yes, it is, yes, it is. i've heard at one point the song change is going to come, you had when sam cook wrote that and how long it has been since he wrote. we're fighting for it. it has not

is what the found some of praise church in houston texas where. service for floyd was held today john take us through the highlights of today's service. well adrian the respected george floyd was denied on that last day of his life he certainly received here today he died under the need of a police officer but the police chief of houston came to his funeral officers saluted his hers as it made its way to the burial place there were a number of high profile figures in an epic ceremony that was scheduled for 3 hours but lasted 4 and a half there were 2 members of congress there were 3 pastors before the eulogy by reverend al sharpton we heard from sheila jackson lee the representative from texas that floyd was on a mission even if he didn't know it and then you had joe biden giving his message directly to floyd's 6 year old daughter saying when this is all over your daddy will have changed the world but perhaps the most poignant words came from floyd's own family this is an example of what his brother had to say. just a. big. big. everybody. that's

after an emotional ceremony at the fountain of praise church here in houston, involving family, friendsand figures of the african-american community. ners have set a final goodbye, the international movement is bound to live on. darker we have to do better. you have to go to your city and your commissioner on your mayor and your police chief and say this is what we are doing. that will help george and his legacy. haver some people it might been unexpected, believing we had made progress, but we haven't. , l loud andnow now clear. now is an opportunity to do some. eye-opener, it's not right, what we are going through. and we continue fighting for what's right. we love you george. .> i miss dad that's why we did all of this, for him. police brutality, racial inequality, systemic racism, those are some of the major issues the countries being forced to address. issues that could play a decisive role in the presidential election in november. political infighting in the e u.s. after a chaotic election in the state of geororgia. it was one of five states holding a primary on tuesday amid a pan

craig melvin here coming to you live from the fountain of praise church in houston, texas.ly an hour from now george floyd's family, friends, along with an entire nation will pay their final respects to the man whose death has sparked worldwide protests. after starting the journey in minneapolis where he lost his life and traveling to north carolina where he was born, george floyd will be laid to rest in the city where he grew up. he will be beside his mother again, the person that he was calling out to when a knee was held on his neck for some eight minutes and 46 seconds. thousands of people have been braving the unforgiving texas heat to see george floyd. thousands more continue to march around the country. millions more will be watching the ceremony here and around the world. i want to go right to nbc's morgan chesky, with me here in

george floyd's celebration of life in houston today thousands are expected to attend. you can see the fountain of praise churchn houston where it will get under way at 9:00 this morning our time. usn6,0 peopl memorial to pay their respects to floyd. he died two weeks ago. for many, it was an emotional farewell to the man who has become the face of a movement. and overnight, people gathered for a candlelight vigil at his high school. his family says they're grateful for the outpouring of support. >> told he would have to sacrifice his life to bring the world together and by knowing him. >> this man whose death has changed the world, he's changed the world. you have to come. >> meanwhile, the former minneapolis police officer charged with murdering floyd appeared in court yesterday. the judge set derek chauvin's bail at $1.25 million and following today's service, floyd will be laid to rest at the houston memorial gardens next to his mother. liz? >> thank you, jobina. >>> abc news will have live coverage of the private service and celebration of life for george floyd. abc news anchor david muir will be in housto

houston. we're taking a live look at the fountain of praise church.center services will begin in just moments. when the world gets complicated, a lot goes through your mind. with fidelity wealth management, your dedicated adviser can give you straightforward advice and tailored recommendations. that's the clarity you get with fidelity wealth management. >>you're watching kron 4 morning news at 9. >>good morning. thanks a lot for joining us on kron 4 morning news on marty gonzales it's tuesday june 9th. let's go ahead and take you to houston texas where a private funeral is going to be held for george floyd now following the ceremony his body will be escorted to his final resting place in pearl in texas. that's where he will be mayor buried next to his mother. now we're continuing to monitor the situation there in the ceremony will bring it to you live once it's under way. but first we want to start off our newscast. this morning by taking a look at the weather forecast by checking in with dave spahr hide a hey good morning marty good morning everybody

well let's take you back to houston now and the fountain of praise church where as you can see the beginnings of the funeral of george floyd are currently underway a large number of people have arrived we did see the reverend al sharpton walk in with george floyd's family now u.s. presidential democratic hopeful joe biden will not be attending today we understand but will be giving a video address to this crowd and we do expect reverend al sharpton to be delivering the eulogy well as you can see the crowd there is of several 100 people and after this there will be movement to a private family burial but for now let's pause and have a little listen to some of the music that were here. on all those crowds gathering there to remember george floyd will be following that very very closely and returning to houston very shortly that will be for now. now for decades incidents of excessive force being used on black people have led to talk of reform but little action in march 1901 video of rodney king being beaten in los angeles were broadcast around the wild the acquittal of the officers involved spar

the private funeral starts at 9:00 our time at the fountain of praise church in houston where he grew up. floyd mayweather is paying for the whole funeral. in the heartbreaking moment caught on video, floyd called out for his mother as the fired minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck. george will be buried next to his mother. 6000 people waited in line to pay their respects at a public memorial service in houston. he was dressed in a brown suit and laid in an open casket for people to say their goodbyes. his casket was then escorted by police back to the funeral home. the former vice president met with floyd's family and so did other high-profile families whose loved ones were killed by police. the death of sparked outrage across the country. countless protests have taken over every state in the country with people calling for an end to police brutality. greg abbott attended the service and spoke to reporters about a path forward. >> george floyd has not died in vain. his life will be a living legacy. we will learn about the way america and texas responded to this t

houston. it is set to begin at the top of the next hour. right now invited guests and dignitaries are invited to come up piling into the fountain of praise churchre on a hot and humid day in houston. we will keep an eye on that throughout the hour and we will have that funeral when it begins. but first, the army is now reversing course on renaming bases that were named after confederate leaders. we will have a reaction from the pentagon just ahead. plus, joe biden coming out against defunding police department as his record on crime is back in the spotlight. juan williams is our next guest and he has a message for those criticizing the former vp. >> i think what has happened here is one of those great inflection points in terms of civil liberties and civil rights and treating people with digni dignity. "am i going to be okay." you may need glasses though. guidance to help you stay on track. ♪ (vo) ♪love. it's what we've always said makes subaru, subaru. and right now, love is more important than ever. in response to covid-19, subaru and our retailers are donating fifty million meals to feeding america, to help feed those who now need our help.

we want to take you live inside the fountain of praise church in houston, texas where exactly three weeks after george floyd died at the hands of police in minneapolis, mourners have been paying tribute to floyd's memory. the public viewing in houston coincides with a couple of things. one, a court appearance with the man accused of murdering him and a roundtable discussion that's about to kick off right now at the white house between president trump and law enforcement officials from local, state and federal levels. this just hours after democrats unveiled a sweeping police reform bill. we are going to take you to the white house when the president speaks but we have it all covered today along with two powerful guests. morehouse college president david thomas, he taught at harvard business school and is here to answer not just the question has corporate america failed black america, but how to fix that starting today. plus, former democratic national committee chair donna brazile joins us on the impact of the race issue on the 2020 presidential race. >>> the customer amazon jeff bezos sa

this is fountain of praise church in houston, texas, where floyd grew up.are told about 500 people are expected to attend his funeral, and that they were expecting even more, but because of the pandemic that we are all suffering through right now, that was the number that was reached. the family arrived just a short time ago, and today's eulogy will be delivered by the reverend al sharpton. among those who are paying their respects, as floyd is taking to his final resting place, u.s. house of representatives al green, sheila jackson lee, and we will see some celebrities. former boxing champion floyd mayweather, who is personally handling all for funeral expenses as they are. that was an offer he had made to the family, and we are told they have accepted that. when the ceremony closes, which is set to get underway just moments from now, and the speeches, the eulogy. all of that. when it's all over, and that could take a while from the list we have before us, george floyd will be buried in nearby pearland, texas, beside his mother. you may remember on that ta

. >> reporter: among the 500 family and friends of floyd inside the fountain of praise church in houstonk american families who know the pain all too well, their children killed by police too. the family of ferguson's michael brown, new york's eric garner, and dallas' botham jean. protests around the country pushing cities around the nation to consider police reform after two weeks of nationwide demonstrations. the houston police chief himself demanding reform from the inside out. >> the community recognizing bad policing when they see it, and there are still too many instances where bad policing is tolerated. we need to say no. >> reporter: the houston mayor announcing at floyd's funeral an executive order to ban choke holds among other reforms. >> in this city we will ban choke holds and strangle holds. in this city, we will require deescalation. >> reporter: in minneapolis a judge approved a restraining order to stop police there from using neck restraints and choke holds. in new york, a promise by the mayor to cut some police funds and move them to youth and social services. ♪ the st

we want to take you live inside the fountain of praise church in houston, texas where exactly three weeksoyd died at the hands of police i

this is a live look outside of the fountain of praise church in houston, where the private memorial servicecame there to pay their respects yesterday. last night, hundreds more gathered at a candlelight vigil at floyd's high school. this morning, the attorney for one of the officers accused in floyd's death is offering up this jaw-dropping defense as the conversation grows louder over race in america. cnn has learned that the u.s. army is considering removing the names of nearly a dozen confederate leaders from bases, including ft. bragg. >>> and john, new cases of deadly police encounters are coming to light. this just-released body cam video captures an incident in austin, texas, from march of 2019. it shows a black man being tasered while being restrained, and the man can be heard saying "i can't breathe" two times. he later died. many u.s. cities now taking action to reform their police departments. so, let's begin our coverage with cnn's omar jimenez. he is live in houston, where it will be a big day in that city. omar. >> reporter: that's right,

george floyd's casket escorted into the fountain of praise church here in houston today. mourner s passing by in single file, socially distancing. among them, texas governor greg abbott. and many, many families, parents with small children. diverse ages, diverse backgrounds, waiting outside in the searing heat, well into the 90s here. and former vice president joe biden here in houston to pay his respects, too. the image of him with george floyd's little girl. all of this amid new developments as we come on the air. in minneapolis, former police officer derek chauvin appearing before a judge to face murder charges. and now that new case eye mentioned from new mexico, an officer with his knee to a man's neck. tonight, that officer has now been charged in his death. abc's alex perez leads us off from minneapolis. >> reporter: tonight, fired minneapolis police officer derek chauvin facing murder charges, making his first appearance in court. video in an orange jumpsuit and blue face mask. the prosecutor laying out the second degree murder case against chauvin, saying he plac

houston. >>i want to thank everybody who came out to see my brother and cheer him on the victory was last left thousands of people came to the fountain of praise church in houston monday. >>to pay their respects to george floyd dignitaries at the viewing included former vice president joe biden who met with members of floyd's family, the family is extremely grateful. >>vice president biden and doctor jill biden who was also there and i mean really reached out to this family and texas governor greg abbott who said floyd's death was the most horrific tragedy yes, ever observed george floyd. change. of the future of the united states. >>video floyd's that 2 weeks ago in minneapolis has sparked protests in cities across the united states around the world and calls for police reform on capitol hill monday democratic lawmakers said the nationwide cry for action has helped push for police reform bill that the justice in policing at the congress is standing with those. >>fighting for justice and taking action floyd's rather felonies is expected to testify before congress about the issue. >>in houston texas. i'm darryl forges. >>and kron 4 will have the servi

all of a sign it was a houston's fountain of praise church where george floyd's funeral took place i asked him to give us a sense of the mood there among the mourners. but it was a very sad day of course 500 guests were inside the ceremony fred the closest family members of course bit their final farewell with tears in their eyes friends also politicians came congress people civil rights activists so was more than just a small ceremony of course and the family was really wanted to celebrate george floyd's life you're also the fact that he became the face of a global movement fighting inequality racial injustice and that is what we've witnessed here today but there was also a political dimension to the ceremony today perhaps one of the most emotional and emotional moments was a speech delivered by joe biden the likely candidate of the democratic party in the . race and then also congress man al green spoke here i had the opportunity opportunity to speak to him earlier today let's listen in what he had to say. we need a reconciliation in this country. we've had reconciliation to a grea