'Through tragedy should always come progress': NC police chiefs discuss George Floyd's murder 2 years later

Floyd’s family told WRAL News they do not want the day of reflection to focus on pain and tragedy. Instead, they want to transform it into a push for hope and change.

“We're not an angry family, but one that has accepted God's will," said Roger Floyd, George Floyd’s uncle. "But we want to change the narrative to do something positive with what we have to work with."

“We're not going to make it about our family, per se. We're going to change the narrative and do what we all can do to impact positively the lives of others by continuing the dialogue about George's death, and use our platform for good,” he added.

The George Floyd Memorial Center is working to build a multicultural center in downtown Raleigh that offers online programs, educational programming and special events.

“We have to establish collaborations and partnerships with others of the same like minds and hearts that have a core value in their being to make a difference. A positive impact. How do we change the systemic culture that we're in now? We are truly a divided country. But we can't stop there,” said Roger Floyd, who serves as the chief impact officer of the memorial center.

“We have to continue to fight every single day. Continue to dialogue, have these town halls, these gatherings, to make sure the word is consistent about the change that we'd like to see,” he said.

“Through tragedy should always come progress,” Durham Police Chief Patrice Andrews said. “And, I’d like to think that Mr. Floyd is looking down upon all of us and is proud of the progress that has been made, but also the progress that will be continued to be made now and in the future.”

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson discussed some of the "unintended consequences" of George Floyd's murder and the pandemic. She addressed the Raleigh Police Department's staffing shortages.

“There’s still nobility in policing,” Patterson said. “We encourage you to support this profession, to enter this profession.

“I’ve giving you a call to action to be a part of the solution and not just sitting back and criticizing or being an activist against us, but that you would come forward and be an advocate to make positive change in this profession. This is still nobility in policing.”

Roger Floyd said the virtual town hall is one of many efforts to bridge the gap between the community and the police. It’s also an opportunity to gain insight and perspective.

Raleigh honors George Floyd as his NC family members push for Memorial Center

“What has happened within the inner workings of law enforcement as to how they will impact the communities that they protect and serve, to have some genuine, wholesome conversation and let it be a constant reminder of what it is that we would like to accomplish,” he said.

Roger Floyd said bringing people together is the only way to move forward.

“Because moving from trauma to transformation, it takes time, but we can do this, but we must do it together," he said. "We must come together and make a conscious decision to say hey, this is not taking anything from the majority. This is adding to the direction in which we want to see our country go. We want to impact society, because this is not only in our state, in our nation, but this is a global movement."

The virtual town hall is just one of many events happening throughout the week to honor Floyd.