Activists & Reformers · 21st Century

George Floyd’s Last Words

George Floyd photo
October 14, 1973 May 25, 2020 Age 46 American
I can't breathe. Please. I can't breathe.
— George Floyd, May 25, 2020

Who Was George Floyd?

George Floyd was an African American man whose death during a Minneapolis police arrest ignited the largest protest movement in American history.

The Final Moments

Floyd died while being restrained by officer Derek Chauvin, who knelt on his neck for over nine minutes.

Are These Words Verified?

✓ High Confidence

George Floyd's final words were captured on multiple videos and documented in trial evidence. His repeated pleas 'I can't breathe' are verified by primary audiovisual records and witness testimony.

Sources

  • firsthand Bystander video footage (May 25, 2020)
  • archive Derek Chauvin trial transcripts
  • archive Medical examiner reports

Legacy

Floyd's death sparked global Black Lives Matter protests; 'I can't breathe' became a rallying cry for police reform.

Black Lives Matterpolice brutalityMinneapoliscivil rightsprotest

Frequently Asked Questions

What were George Floyd’s last words?

“I can't breathe. Please. I can't breathe.”

How did George Floyd die?

George Floyd died on May 25, 2020 at the age of 46. Cause of death: Asphyxiation during police restraint.

Were George Floyd’s last words documented?

George Floyd's final words were captured on multiple videos and documented in trial evidence. His repeated pleas 'I can't breathe' are verified by primary audiovisual records and witness testimony.