Op-Ed: Five Years Later, We Still Can’t Breathe

By Rep. Ron Reynolds

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE – Five years ago, the world watched in horror as George Floyd pleaded for his life under the knees of a Minneapolis police officer. His final words—“I can’t breathe”—became a rallying cry for justice, igniting a global movement against systemic racism and police brutality. The streets of America, including right here in Texas, were filled with voices demanding change, accountability, and reform.

Following this national reckoning, I joined forces with my colleagues in the Texas Legislative Black Caucus to introduce the George Floyd Act, a bold and comprehensive attempt to reform policing in our state. We sought to ban chokeholds, end arrests for non-jailable offenses, require officers to intervene when excessive force is used, and finally confront the abuse of qualified immunity. These weren’t simply bullet points on a page. These were demands from the people—George Floyd’s voice echoing through us, and we answered.

And right here in Houston, the late, great Mayor Sylvester Turner led with integrity, vision, and heart. At George Floyd’s funeral, he didn’t just offer condolences—he delivered action. He signed an executive order banning chokeholds and implemented new reforms to make policing more transparent and humane. Mayor Turner believed in walking the walk. His leadership during that turbulent time brought a sense of hope to our communities—and for that, we’re grateful.

However, after five years, we must admit that some of that hope has faded. Resistance, rollbacks, and political gamesmanship have met the progress we fought for. In states across the country, including our own, DEI initiatives are under attack, and efforts to shield police misconduct are creeping back into policy discussions. While we’ve made strides, it’s frustrating—and heartbreaking—to see how quickly the urgency has faded. When the cameras turned off and the headlines moved on, too many leaders fell silent.

Every time I step into a committee room or cast a vote, I’m thinking about George Floyd

As the state representative for Fort Bend County’s District 27, I haven’t gone quiet. Every time I step into a committee room or cast a vote, I’m thinking about George Floyd—and what my community expects me to fight for. Fort Bend is one of the most diverse counties in the US, and we’re not sitting around waiting for Washington or Austin to fix things. We’re building coalitions, backing community-led safety efforts, and making sure our local policies reflect the values we say we stand for: justice, equity, and accountability.

I’ve visited classrooms where students ask whether they could experience what happened to George Floyd. That’s the reality we’re still living with. That’s why I continue to push for bills that protect civil rights, reform the criminal justice system, and demand transparency from law enforcement. That’s why I won’t stop speaking up for those who can’t.

We’ve got to bring back the urgency we felt in 2020—not just through social media or rallies, but by turning that energy into real policy and meaningful change. This campaign isn’t just about George Floyd. It’s about every Black and Brown person who fears a traffic stop might be their last. It’s about making sure our kids grow up in a country where justice isn’t something you have to earn—it’s something you can count on.

So, on this fifth anniversary, let’s not just remember. Let’s recommit. Let’s honor George Floyd not with silence but with action. We may be bruised, but we’re still here. We’re still moving, side by side, doing the hard work to get closer to justice.

Rep. Ron Reynolds
Texas House of Representatives, District 27
Proudly serving Fort Bend County and the fight for justice everywhere

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