George Floyd’s family members will sue Kanye West for $250 million for “harassment, misappropriation, defamation and infliction of emotional distress,” lawyers representing the family announced Tuesday, after West made false claims about Floyd’s death in a recent interview.
Kanye West is seen on October 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
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Key Facts
The lawsuit will be filed on behalf of Floyd’s daughter by her mother, Roxie Washington, according to the firms representing them, Witherspoon Law Group and Dixon & Dixon.
The firms said they issued a cease and desist to West over remarks he made about Floyd’s “2020 death at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked a worldwide outcry against police brutality,” the statement read.
On the podcast “Drink Champs” on Saturday, West falsely claimed Floyd died from a fentanyl overdose, and not from former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck (medical examiner Dr. Andrew Baker testified that while Floyd’s drug use was a contributing factor in his death, the compression and restraining of his body by officers were the primary causes).
Though the episode of “Drink Champs” featuring West was removed from YouTube and Revolt TV on Monday, “clips of the rapper’s rant continue to be viewed and shared on social media platforms by millions across the globe,” the lawyers said.
Floyd’s young daughter has been “retraumatized” by West’s remarks, the statement read, which are “damaging to the Floyd estate.”
Forbes has reached out to representatives of West for comment.
Key Background
In a recent string of bizarre behavior, West has made several anti-Semitic remarks and been critical of Black Lives Matter. West and Candace Owens wore shirts with “White Lives Matter” written on it at his Paris fashion show earlier this month, and he attended the premiere of her documentary The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM. West appeared to be sourcing his information about Floyd’s death from the documentary. Drink Champs host N.O.R.E. apologized Monday for giving West a platform. The episode has since been pulled. The recent interview with Kanye West contained false and hurtful information regarding the circumstances surrounding the murder of George Floyd,” the show said in a statement. “We apologize to the family of Mr. Floyd and anyone else hurt by this episode.”
Tangent
Chauvin was found guilty of Floyd’s murder—which sparked worldwide protests and served as a catalyst for the massive resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. He was sentenced to 22.5 years for Floyd’s death, and appealed the verdict in 2021. Chauvin pleaded guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights in a civil suit, and received 21 years in prison, which he will serve simultaneously with his murder sentence.
George Floyd’s Family Will Sue Kanye West For $250 Million Over False Comments About Death
Topline
George Floyd’s family members will sue Kanye West for $250 million for “harassment, misappropriation, defamation and infliction of emotional distress,” lawyers representing the family announced Tuesday, after West made false claims about Floyd’s death in a recent interview.
Kanye West is seen on October 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Key Facts
The lawsuit will be filed on behalf of Floyd’s daughter by her mother, Roxie Washington, according to the firms representing them, Witherspoon Law Group and Dixon & Dixon.
The firms said they issued a cease and desist to West over remarks he made about Floyd’s “2020 death at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked a worldwide outcry against police brutality,” the statement read.
On the podcast “Drink Champs” on Saturday, West falsely claimed Floyd died from a fentanyl overdose, and not from former officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on his neck (medical examiner Dr. Andrew Baker testified that while Floyd’s drug use was a contributing factor in his death, the compression and restraining of his body by officers were the primary causes).
Though the episode of “Drink Champs” featuring West was removed from YouTube and Revolt TV on Monday, “clips of the rapper’s rant continue to be viewed and shared on social media platforms by millions across the globe,” the lawyers said.
Floyd’s young daughter has been “retraumatized” by West’s remarks, the statement read, which are “damaging to the Floyd estate.”
Forbes has reached out to representatives of West for comment.
Key Background
In a recent string of bizarre behavior, West has made several anti-Semitic remarks and been critical of Black Lives Matter. West and Candace Owens wore shirts with “White Lives Matter” written on it at his Paris fashion show earlier this month, and he attended the premiere of her documentary The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM. West appeared to be sourcing his information about Floyd’s death from the documentary. Drink Champs host N.O.R.E. apologized Monday for giving West a platform. The episode has since been pulled. The recent interview with Kanye West contained false and hurtful information regarding the circumstances surrounding the murder of George Floyd,” the show said in a statement. “We apologize to the family of Mr. Floyd and anyone else hurt by this episode.”
Tangent
Chauvin was found guilty of Floyd’s murder—which sparked worldwide protests and served as a catalyst for the massive resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. He was sentenced to 22.5 years for Floyd’s death, and appealed the verdict in 2021. Chauvin pleaded guilty to violating Floyd’s civil rights in a civil suit, and received 21 years in prison, which he will serve simultaneously with his murder sentence.
Further Reading
The Fate Of Kanye West’s Career Is In His Fans’ Hands, PR Professionals Say (Forbes)
Kanye West Is Buying Right-Wing Social Media Platform Parler (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/10/18/george-floyds-family-will-sue-kanye-west-for-250-million-over-false-comments-about-death/