New Mexico orders flags lowered to honor George Floyd, victims of racism and violence

SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued an immediate executive order Thursday for state flags to fly at half staff through sundown Friday, June 5, to honor George Floyd and all other victims of systemic racism and police violence, which have resulted in riots and peaceful protests across the country and around the world in the past week. 

Lujan Grisham's order coincides with a Thursday afternoon memorial service in Minneapolis for Floyd. Other services are planned for Saturday, June 6 in Raeford, North Carolina, where some of Floyd's family members are located, and Monday, June 8 in Houston, where Floyd lived for many years.

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“New Mexico grieves with the rest of the nation and the world over the unconscionable killing of Mr. Floyd as he begged for breath,” Lujan Grisham said. “We stand with his family and with all peace-loving people who refuse to tolerate racism any longer and who demand an end to violence against people of color, to systemic inequities and to intolerance and injustice in all its forms.”

The governor recently lowered state flags over Memorial Day weekend in honor of servicewomen and servicemen who have lost their lives and the hundreds of thousands of people — including several hundred New Mexicans — who have lost their lives this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.