George Floyd's brother testifies at House hearing on police brutality: 'Stop the pain'

The brother of George Floyd testified Wednesday at a House hearing on racial profiling and police brutality, tearfully urging lawmakers to "stop the pain" as he recalled in vivid detail how his older sibling died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

“I couldn’t take care of George the day he was killed, but maybe by speaking with you today, I can make sure that his death would not be in vain," an emotional Philonise Floyd told lawmakers. "To make sure that he is more than another face on a t-shirt. More than another name on a list that won’t stop growing.”

"I’m here today to ask you to make it stop. Stop the pain," he said. "Stop us from being tired."

The House Judiciary Committee hearing follows riots and protests that engulfed the country in response to Floyd’s death -- and amid a growing push to abolish, reform or defund police departments. All those issues are sure to surface on Capitol Hill Wednesday.

The hearing seeks “to examine the crisis of racial profiling, police brutality and lost trust between police departments," according to the committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled a similar hearing on “Police Use of Force and Community Relations" on June 16.

The images of Officer Derek Chauvin -- who now faces charges including second-degree murder -- kneeling into Floyd’s neck sparked a nationwide outcry and demands for reform. It has also led to similar protests and legislative moves across the globe.

"The people marching in the streets are telling you enough is enough," Floyd told lawmakers. "Be the leaders that this country, this world, needs. Do the right thing."