Whenever a Black person falls victim to police violence, Alicia Crudup, a 42-year-old native of Minneapolis, can't help but think of her boys. Married and a mother of six sons aged 11 to 21, she dedicates herself to running a non-profit that mentors children in need, connecting them with supportive adult figures in the community.

When George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, amid America's COVID-19 lockdown, Crudup recalls a surge of promises flooding in. From major Fortune 500 companies pledging substantial financial support to grassroots art organizations commissioned to create Black Lives Matter murals in public spaces, there was a collective vow to use this tragedy as a catalyst to address racial inequalities.

"We had a chance, both here and across the nation, to make substantial, enduring changes," Crudup shared with TODAY US NEWS 24. "But it feels like we let that opportunity slip away. All the discussions amounted to just that – discussions."

Instead of celebrating significant progress, Crudup finds herself recounting more instances of setbacks. This sense of weariness and disappointment is resonating with numerous voters, community activists, civil rights advocates, scholars, and elected representatives interviewed by TODAY US NEWS 24, reflecting on the events four years after George Floyd's tragic death under the knee of a white police officer.



The aftermath of Floyd's murder is seen not just as resistance to police accountability but as part of a broader and intricate backlash movement that stifles efforts toward racial justice.

"I have conflicting feelings because while some remain steadfast in their commitment, others maintain a deafening silence," remarked Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League. "I observe signs of backlash in various spheres, and I sense that in many segments of Black America, there's a prevailing sentiment of 'here we go again.

Observers note that over the last four years, counteractions have been pervasive. Examples include the Supreme Court striking down affirmative action admissions policies aimed at diversifying college campuses, Republican-led legislatures eliminating Black history courses from public education curricula, and the erosion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.

Even symbolic victories are under threat, experts warn. This is evident in the resistance to "Lift Every Voice and Sing," often dubbed the Black national anthem, being performed at sporting events, and in a recent decision by a Virginia school board to reinstate the names of Confederate leaders to two local schools.


In the past year, law enforcement officers killed more Americans than in any other year on record.

Jason Williams, an associate professor of justice studies at Montclair State University in New Jersey, highlighted a significant backlash following Floyd's death.

"I believe the epicenter of this backlash is our colleges and universities, where entire diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) departments have been dismantled," Williams stated.

The inability of Congress to enact comprehensive reform in 2021, as embodied in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, led candidates and elected officials to exploit "cultural politics as a political football," according to Williams. This trend is likely to spill over into the 2024 presidential race.

"The resistance against the George Floyd initiative has intensified, particularly given that we're in an election cycle where the GOP is leveraging that movement as ammunition for their base," he remarked.

However bleak the outlook may seem, some advocates for police reform highlight glimpses of progress. Those actively engaged in the cause emphasize that ongoing endeavors to implement alternative public safety approaches at local and state levels serve as evidence that George Floyd's tragic death was not entirely without impact.



Following the release of the viral video depicting Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd's neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, as stated by state prosecutors, there appeared to be a momentary easing of partisan tensions in Washington.

Former President Donald Trump, known for rarely criticizing police actions, referred to it as a "very sad event" in a tweet on May 27, 2020, asserting that "justice will be served."

In a July 2020 Gallup survey, 58% of Americans polled believed that policing required "major changes." Another 36% advocated for minor changes, while only 6% expressed the view that no action was necessary.

Even after Trump's defeat in the presidential election, bipartisan efforts persisted, exemplified by Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) embarking on a year-long endeavor to craft a police reform bill agreeable to the Senate. However, this initiative ultimately faltered due to irreconcilable differences and shifting political dynamics.

Booker affirmed his commitment to pushing for greater support to pass federal legislation.

"While the push for reform may have been manipulated for political gain, the fundamental truths remain unchanged," Booker stated in a message to TODAY US NEWS 24. "We must pursue reforms within law enforcement that not only enhance public safety but also promote transparency, accountability, and justice.




There was no response from Scott or his office to TODAY US NEWS 24 request for comment. Scott, during his brief presidential campaign, frequently downplayed the extent of racism in the United States.

A strongly right-wing counter-movement recasts Floyd's image from victim to a symbol of the social challenges associated with American cities. Critics within the GOP asserted that his death facilitated looting and violence orchestrated by left-wing extremists.

This perspective persists among conservative lawmakers on Capitol Hill today, who argue that the public is primarily concerned with rising crime rates. They contend that since 2020, it is the police who have faced mistreatment and been targets of violence.

"I dislike that George Floyd's name is consistently associated with our entire police force," remarked Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado) in a recent interview near the U.S. Capitol.

Ahead of a House vote, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-Pennsylvania) declared, "Police officers safeguard this nation. We stand by our law enforcement now more than ever."

Republican Christopher DeCruze, 39, from Trumbull, Connecticut, believes the protests of 2020 may have had adverse effects.The aftermath of the protests – the public's perception of law enforcement – initially led to a spike in criminal activity," DeCruze commented.



More recently, as the fourth anniversary of Floyd's murder approached, the Republican-controlled House showcased its commitment to law and order during National Police Week by passing several bills in support of law enforcement.

GOP lawmakers secured approval for legislation aimed at bolstering police support. These measures included laws mandating the swift arrest and deportation of any immigrant accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer, challenging changes made by the D.C. city council to sentencing guidelines and youth offender status, and necessitating the Attorney General to furnish a report on violent attacks against law enforcement officers.

"We're clearly focused on advancing legislation that bolsters support for police officers and demonstrates solidarity with law enforcement," remarked Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) to USA Today. "We stand unequivocally behind our police force."

Beyond Congress, Republicans on the upcoming election ballot are leveraging "defund the police" as a wedge issue. This slogan, which gained traction among the political left during the Floyd protests, is now being utilized by Republicans despite Democrats having distanced themselves from it long ago.

Other GOP officials interviewed by TODAY US NEWS 24 reiterated their unwavering support for law enforcement but acknowledged the importance of pursuing additional reforms, particularly in terms of training and other procedures.

"We must continuously strive for improvement to enhance public trust. It's crucial for everyone to recognize that the vast majority, 96%, of police officers are dedicated professionals," stated Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania) in his conversation with TODAY US NEWS 24.


Meuser highlighted Americans' heightened concerns about crime, which escalated during the pandemic but have since declined. According to an October 2023 Gallup survey, 63% of respondents viewed crime as extremely or very serious. He emphasized the importance of policymakers focusing on repairing police-community relations instead of exacerbating trends that could strain these bonds.

I want children to recognize that police officers are genuinely here to protect and serve," he emphasized.

Hundreds of miles away from Congress, in Minneapolis, the city where Floyd lived and tragically lost his life, Rosemary Nevils Williams believed that Floyd's murder would serve as a wake-up call for her hometown and the nation alike.

She expressed disappointment that not enough has been done to mend the fractured relationship between the city's Black and indigenous communities and law enforcement. There absolutely has to be change," she asserted. "We cannot continue as we are."

Despite recent declines in crime rates in the city, Nevils Williams, a 75-year-old retired teacher and social worker, stressed that pursuing social justice requires directly confronting enduring bigotry and institutional barriers in areas such as housing and education.


"The racism remains deeply entrenched, and the ongoing killings of young Black men are profoundly distressing," Nevils Williams remarked. "It feels like society has regressed almost back to the 60s."

In the years following Floyd's tragic death, residents and activists have observed a troubling deterioration in America's race relations. Across the country, dozens of states have either implemented or proposed measures that critics argue whitewash essential aspects of U.S. history. Additionally, some states have banned books, many of which are authored by Black writers and focus on issues of race and/or sexual identity.

Advocates of these measures contend that such books are offensive and assert that critical aspects of Black history are already covered in school curricula. Supporters of what are termed "anti-woke" laws argue that these measures safeguard against divisive teachings and the attribution of blame to current generations for past injustices like slavery. Republicans, in particular, have targeted critical race theory, an academic framework that examines how the legacy of slavery and racial discrimination continues to influence contemporary society, denouncing it as "woke indoctrination."

At a higher level of authority, the Supreme Court's decision to strike down affirmative action policies at major American colleges has sparked deep concerns among progressive educators and others who fear that this could undermine efforts to promote workplace diversity.

Stephen Graves, a political science professor at Oklahoma State University's Center for Africana Studies, noted the significance of what he describes as anti-Black measures occurring in a year marked by several civil rights milestones, such as the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling and the 1964 Civil Rights Act.


Graves noted that adversaries of these advancements have spent years directing their message towards stoking white resentment, which has bolstered a formidable opposition to any movement for racial justice.

"They've mastered the formula," Graves remarked. "There's still a sufficient number of disaffected, marginalized, and undereducated white men in this country. Every time there's even a hint of progress for Black communities, they immediately frame it as a zero-sum game: 'They're gaining, and you're losing.

How Floyd's death shapes 2024 politics

Concerns about holding law enforcement officers accountable do not rank as a top priority for Americans.

According to a March Gallup survey that asked voters to prioritize issues, half or more expressed significant concern about inflation, crime, homelessness, federal spending, the economy, and healthcare affordability. However, police reform did not feature prominently.

The survey indicated that race relations were a significant concern for 35% of voters overall, as well as for the same percentage of independents. Among Democrats, the figure rises to 47%, while among Republicans, it stands at just 22%.

This election year, Democrats have navigated a delicate political balance.

In 2020, President Joe Biden prominently featured Floyd's sister in a campaign ad and spoke out against the widespread issue of police brutality in the United States. However, during his 2022 State of the Union Address, the president took a moment to criticize the notion of reducing funding for law enforcement.

"Let's not abandon our streets or pit safety against equal justice," Biden asserted. "We should all agree: The solution is not to defund the police but to adequately fund them. We need to provide resources and training necessary for them to safeguard our communities."

Grassroots organizers and their allies nationwide tell TODAY US NEWS 24 that while the president's position was anticipated, there are still reasons for optimism. They highlight how several organizers have made incremental progress at the local level, pushing forward with small victories.


Monifa Bandele serves as a chief adviser with MomsRising, a grassroots organization with a progressive stance that prioritizes maternal justice issues.

She remarked that while the response to the 2020 protests has been challenging, it underscores the immense power of that movement. The backlash is a direct result of the clear threat posed to the status quo, to mass incarceration, and mass criminalization," Bandele asserted.

For instance, between 2020 and 2022, approximately 62% of the largest U.S. cities implemented some form of alternative public safety response program, according to data from the Brennan Center for Justice.

The center's research indicates that 25 states enacted changes to laws directly related to the circumstances surrounding Floyd's murder. These changes include restrictions on the use of force, such as banning chokeholds, mandating officer intervention in cases of police misconduct, and requiring local agencies to report officer misconduct data to the state.

"On the local and state levels, we've seen the passage of over 100 bills in George Floyd's name. So, we've achieved victories at every level except the federal level," remarked Benjamin Crump, a nationally recognized civil rights attorney who has represented the Floyd family, in an interview with TODAY US NEWS 24.

"It's these laws that give me hope, that give me optimism that we will create a better America for our children moving forward. Others highlight reforms in how cities address crime. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, city officials redirected approximately $17 million in police funding to establish a new community safety department.

According to the Vera Institute, a national nonprofit focused on ending mass incarceration, this pilot initiative has handled over 50,000 service requests since its launch in the fall of 2021. It has directly redirected about 33,000 calls away from law enforcement.

Moreover, numerous cities have implemented "transform 911" programs, which dispatch unarmed civilian first responders to certain emergency calls. For example, in 2022, Dayton, Ohio, introduced a Mediation Response Unit that sends mediators to handle low-priority situations like noisy animals, neighbor disputes, and child custody exchanges.



Organizers assert that witnessing these alternative approaches taking root locally can facilitate greater support from voters for reimagining public safety. Polling conducted this year by GenForward, a center at the University of Chicago, indicates that two-thirds of Black Americans are in favor of exploring divestment from traditional policing and investing in alternative approaches to public safety.

You wouldn't have seen this before 2020," Bandele remarked. "So this is an incredibly powerful moment. The backlash is a result of shifting mindsets and the success of innovative experiments at the local level, where meaningful change takes place."

Veterans of the movement emphasize that the objective of reforming American policing remains steadfast, but there has been a shift in focus. Individuals disheartened by broken promises from elected officials are directing their efforts toward electoral politics in 2024, while many others have joined various grassroots movements, ranging from anti-gun violence campaigns to advocating for reparations for slavery.

In Maryland, Tiffani Evans, 36, took to canvassing predominantly Black neighborhoods ahead of the state's May 14 primary, urging residents to vote.

Employed by a nonprofit organization focused on reducing gun violence, Evans highlighted some local police reforms, citing Washington, D.C.'s implementation of a no-chase law to prevent unnecessary police car pursuits.

"As mothers who have lost our children to gun violence or police brutality, we're doing our best to advocate for changes in legislation," Evans shared. Her son PJ was tragically killed in 2021 during a crossfire incident.

In a bipartisan effort to push for reforms, Rep. Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.), Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) recently introduced a bill aiming to prohibit federal law enforcement and federally funded agencies from executing no-knock warrants. The proposed legislation is named in honor of Breonna Taylor, a Black woman killed by police officers in her Louisville, Kentucky, apartment in early 2020.

Advocates committed to a national policy shift inspired by the Floyd protests remain hopeful.
Crudup, the Minneapolis mother of six, believes that with sufficient pressure, the nation will enact legislation akin to the Floyd bill, though she fears it may sadly require more lives lost at the hands of the police.

She highlighted the recent fatal shooting of 23-year-old Roger Fortson, an active-duty senior airman, by a Florida sheriff's deputy in his apartment while holding a firearm at his side. He represented our country," Crudup noted. "Perhaps this incident will reignite the urgency for the Floyd Act. How many individuals have been killed by police since Floyd? It seems the public's attention has waned quicker than anticipated."