The Reverend Giving George Floyd's Eulogy Shaded Trudeau's 21 Seconds Of Silence
Canadians aren't the only ones who saw the Prime Minister unable to form words on live TV. Justin Trudeau's 21 seconds of silence was criticized by the reverend giving George Floyd's eulogy. This isn't the first time the Prime Minister has been shaded for his long pause.
On June 4, before a memorial service for Floyd in Minneapolis, a Radio-Canada correspondent caught up with Rev. Al Sharpton, a Baptist minister and civil rights activist.
He was asked what message he wants to send at the memorial.
"That we want justice," Sharpton said.
The reverend noted that this isn't the first service he's preached at for someone killed by police and asked how many more have to happen before change happens and there is accountability.
Sharpton shared that he's going to preach that everything will be done to make sure that Floyd didn't die in vain.
"This is the tipping point for changing how policing is going to be done in America," he said.
Then the reverend addressed Trudeau's response, or lack thereof, to a question about U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the week.
"And since you're from Canada, I won't have a 21-second gap before I say what I have to say," he said.
On June 2, Trudeau was asked to share his thoughts about Trump calling for military action against protesters and having protesters tear-gassed so they could make way for him to have a photo-op.
What followed was 21 seconds of silence from the Prime Minister.
When he finally found the words, he didn't actually comment on Trump.
He's also faced criticism within Canada for not speaking on it.
Sharpton is preaching at the first of three memorials for Floyd
After that, there will be a public viewing and private family service in North Carolina on June 6 and then another service in Houston on June 8.
Floyd's death at the hands of the police in Minneapolis sparked protests and calls for justice in the U.S.
Canadians have also come out across the country to protest in solidarity.