In his first interview, the Black teenager who called 911 on George Floyd told Slate his life fell apart: “I was feeling that I’m done with life, and stuff. Like, why am I even living? I don’t deserve to be breathing.”
Nabil Abumayyaleh poses for a photo with a customer he’s known since they were children.In 1998, according to court records, the police opened a file on CUP Foods in what it said at the time was a response to complaints about the store. The force surveilled the area and reported it saw people engaging in “hand-to-hand exchanges”—possible drug deals—in and around the store. An undercover cop purchased apparent crack cocaine from dealers, in what are known as “controlled buys,” inside the shop.
Chicago Avenue is still closed to traffic. Passersby leave posters, flowers, and teddy bears as offerings in George Floyd’s memory.The corner where CUP Foods sits has now been dubbed George Floyd Square. The space outside the shop, where Floyd was killed, has become a sprawling memorial. On the ground where he was pinned by Chauvin, someone painted a silhouette with angel wings.
Nelson told me he believes CUP Foods has been unfairly vilified. “You can get angry at the Beckys or the Karens of the world because those are malicious, spiteful calls to the police,” he said. “This was not that. This is a business that takes extreme caution with calling the police, period. They got raided for not calling the cops. This is a community store,” he told me.
Outside of CUP Foods, Nelson showed me where the brothers were thinking of putting in a permanent rose garden to memorialize Floyd and victims of gun violence. “I’m fed up because so many people are misinformed,” he said. “CUP didn’t kill Floyd.” Nelson wishes that people would focus less on blaming the store and more on “trying to worry about a kid that is forever traumatized. Because this will never go away.” The community, he said, is trying to heal.
A local Minneapolis development group now organizes a weekly market in the intersection to empower Black-owned businesses.Minneapolis announced plans to reopen George Floyd Square to street traffic the week of Aug. 17. About 100 people lay down on the street that Monday to show their dissent. The barricades remained.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'The Comedy Store': TV ReviewMike Binder's five-part Showtime docuseries about Hollywood's legendary Comedy Store features interviews with David Letterman, Jim Carrey and other stand-up icons. Read THR's review of TheComedyStore:
Read more »
U.S. Retail Store Closures Hit Record in First HalfRetail store closings in the U.S. reached a record in the first half of 2020 and the year is on pace for record bankruptcies and liquidations as the Covid-19 pandemic accelerates industry changes.
Read more »
A ‘Hocus Pocus’ LEGO Set May Be Coming To A Store Near YouThe impressive 2,700-piece Lego set of the Sanderson Sisters' cottage was designed by 'Hocus Pocus' superfan Amber Veyt.
Read more »
Chanel buying flagship London store for around $402 million: Report - Business InsiderBusiness Insider is a fast-growing business site with deep financial, media, tech, and other industry verticals. Launched in 2007, the site is now the largest business news site on the web.
Read more »
How to Store Apples So They Stay Fresh LongerHere you'll get tips on how and where to store your apples so they last as long as possible. This way you can enjoy all your fall favorites like apple desserts, appetizers, and more well into the winter.
Read more »
Texas officer charged with murder in fatal store shootingA white police officer was charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a Black man following a reported disturbance at a store in Texas on Saturday, authorities said. Jonathan Price was shot and killed by Wolfe City Police Officer Shaun Lucas.
Read more »