Teen who filmed George Floyd’s death honored with courage award

Darnella Frazier, the 17-year-old who filmed George Floyd‘s death, received the 2020 Courage Award during the PEN America’s virtual ceremony on Tuesday (Dec. 8).

PEN Courage awarded to Darnella Frazier

Spike Lee presented the award to Frazier.

“It is my honor and my pleasure to present the PEN/Benenson Courage Award to sister Darnella Frazier,” he said. “I am so proud of my sister. She documented the murder of George Floyd, our brother. And that footage reverberated around God’s earth and people took to the streets all over this earth — not just United Stares of America. It wasn’t just Black people either, everybody took to the streets. My sister I commend you and you deserve this award.”

“I never would’ve imagined out of my 17 years of living that this would be me,” Frazier said upon receiving the awards. “It’s just a lot to take in but I couldn’t say thank you enough for everything’s that’s been coming towards me.”

Words of congratulations

Celebrities such as Gabrielle Union, Meryl Streep, and activist Deray McKesson, and others also sent video messages thanking Frazier for her courageous act.

In May, the teen pulled out her cell phone and recorded as former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin shoved his knee on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes while he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe.

Floyd was pronounced dead moments later.