Asian American's role in George Floyd's killing puts ties among minorities in focus

The sight of Tou Thao, a Hmong American, backing the white police officer who killed Mr George Floyd has led to soul-searching among Asian Americans. PHOTO: DARNELLA FRAZIER / FACEBOOK
The sight of Tou Thao, a Hmong American, backing the white police officer who killed Mr George Floyd has led to soul-searching among Asian Americans. PHOTO: DARNELLA FRAZIER / FACEBOOK
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As Derek Chauvin knelt on Mr George Floyd's neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, Chauvin's colleague Tou Thao stood watch and held off onlookers who were pleading for it to stop.

Tou Thao is Hmong American. And the image of an American of Asian descent backing a white police officer charged with the murder of an unarmed black man has prompted much soul-searching among Asian Americans.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 14, 2020, with the headline Asian American's role in George Floyd's killing puts ties among minorities in focus. Subscribe