A special citation Pulitzer Prize was awarded on Friday to Darnella Frazier, the teenager who filmed former police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on George Floyd's neck for eight minutes. The footage sparked widespread discussions and protests about racism and police brutality.
"The Floyd story in particular highlighted not only the essential role of journalists, but the increasing importance of ordinary citizens in the quest for truth and justice," said Mindy Marqués, co-chair of the Pulitzer Prize Board, according to The Hill.
"We want to note that the board has awarded a special citation to Darnella Frazier, the teenage witness who filmed and posted the transformative video that jolted viewers and spurred protests against police brutality around the world," she added during the award ceremony.
Politicians and journalists expressed their support for Frazier.
"Darnella Frazier is part of a proud tradition of truth tellers who helped open our nation's eyes to injustices that inspired movements for change. Grateful for her courage and strength," Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J, tweeted.
"I cannot explain how important it is that the Pulitzer Prize Committee awarded its Special Citation to Darnella Frazier for the video she took of George Floyd's death at the hands of the murderer Derek Chauvin," Jelani Cobb, a staff writer for The New Yorker, tweeted.
Last month Frazier wrote in an Instagram post on the one-year-anniversary of Floyd's death that, "Even though this was a traumatic life-changing experience for me, I'm proud of myself. If it weren't for my video, the world wouldn't have known the truth."
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