In Richmond, Virginia, the claim made by a City Council candidate, Tavares Floyd, about being related to George Floyd has raised skepticism among his relatives. George Floyd’s death in police custody in 2020 sparked nationwide protests and significantly influenced the Black Lives Matter movement. Tavares Floyd, who aspires to represent the city’s 6th District, mentions on his campaign website that the tragedy of his cousin’s death has motivated him to unite the community.

Tavares Floyd first identified as George Floyd’s cousin shortly after the latter’s death in June 2020 while addressing a significant rally in Richmond. He spoke fervently about George Floyd’s demise, highlighting the distressing circumstances surrounding it. “My cousin perished and he died pleading for his mother, and he died at the hands of police officers,” he conveyed to the audience, emphasizing the struggles faced by Black men in America.

However, in a recent article, Tavares Floyd’s sister cast serious doubts on his assertions. Ashley Floyd described her brother’s claims as a “big lie,” expressing her disbelief and skepticism. She indicated that Tavares saw an opportunity to exploit the tragedy of another individual sharing the same last name. “It’s disgusting actually, and distasteful to prey on someone’s pain,” she remarked.

Moreover, Vincent Floyd, Tavares’s half-brother, stated that he had no knowledge of any familial link between their family and George Floyd. In response to the allegations, Tavares Floyd defended his statements via email, asserting that his aunts have a genuine connection to the Floyd family and were the ones who informed him about George Floyd’s passing.

Tavares also mentioned that he attended the funeral and has photographs from the service to support his claims. He emphasized that the surname Floyd is relatively rare among African Americans, and any encounter with someone sharing the name often sparks excitement about a possible connection.

Flora Taylor, who identifies as one of Tavares Floyd’s aunts, expressed uncertainty regarding any relationship to George Floyd. She mentioned that if there was indeed a connection, she had not met him and denied ever communicating with Tavares about George Floyd’s death. Tavares Floyd has yet to respond to inquiries made through his campaign website. Meanwhile, the Floyd Family Center for Social Equity, established by George Floyd’s relatives in North Carolina, has not commented on the matter either.