Joe Biden Meets With George Floyd's Family In Houston: 'He Heard Their Pain, Shared In Their Woe'
HOUSTON (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - The lead attorney for George Floyd's family said the grieving relatives met with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden for an hour Monday in Houston.
Ben Crump said Biden's "compassion meant the world to this grieving family," and he described the visit as an example of "what will begin to heal America" as citizens around the country demand changes to police practices after Floyd's death.
"Listening to one another is what will begin to heal America," Crump said. "That's just what Vice President Biden did with the family of George Floyd for more than an hour. He listened, he heard their pain and shared in their woe."
Biden traveled to Houston for the visit ahead of Floyd's funeral.
Governor Abbott Pays Respects At Houston Visitation For George Floyd
Biden has called for substantial changes to police practices in the U.S., but he opposes some activists' call to defund police and shift that taxpayers spending to other services.
Biden wants to expand spending on social services such as education and mental health care that can support police efforts, but also spend more on training existing police officers.
Floyd, a black man who was handcuffed, died after a white officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air. The officer has since been fired, arrested and charged with second-degree murder, among other charges.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)