The FBI has fired agents who participated in a kneeling protest in support of George Floyd, who was killed by police in May 2020. Sources within the FBI confirmed the dismissals to several international media outlets, including Reuters.
Floyd, a 46-year-old Black American, died after an officer pressed his knee on his neck for several minutes during an arrest. His death sparked widespread protests against racism and police brutality, with kneeling becoming a symbol of the movement, particularly under the banner Black Lives Matter.
Details of the Dismissals
During the protests, a photograph emerged showing FBI agents in vests kneeling alongside demonstrators. The agents stated they knelt to help de-escalate a tense situation. An internal investigation initially concluded that they had not violated FBI rules by kneeling.
However, following a new evaluation, the agents were dismissed. Reuters did not specify the number of agents fired, but CNN reported, citing insiders, that 20 agents were let go, with 15 of them having actually knelt during the protest. The union representing FBI agents has condemned the firings.
