Stephen Jackson condemns Minneapolis officers: 'When was murder ever worth it?'

Former NBAer Stephen Jackson led a press conference in Minneapolis on Friday to talk about his close friend George Floyd, who was killed Monday while in police custody after an officer kneeled on his neck.

"I'm here because they're not going to demean the character of George Floyd. My twin," Jackson told reporters, including The Athletic's Jon Krawczynski. "A lot of times, when police do things they know that's wrong, the first thing they try to do is cover it up, and bring up your background to make it seem like the bullshit that they did was worth it.

"When was murder ever worth it? But if it's a black man, it's approved. You can't tell me when that man had his knee on my brother's neck - taking his life away - with his hand in his pocket, that smirk on his face didn't say, 'I'm protected.'"

The four Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident have since been fired. On Monday, Hennepin County attorney Mike Freeman announced that Derek Chauvin, the officer who pressed his knee into Floyd's neck, was charged with murder and manslaughter.

Freeman added that the other three officers are currently being investigated for their roles, according to Briana Bierschbach of the Star Tribune.

Jackson was joined by Karl-Anthony Towns and Josh Okogie of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Gary Trent of the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Krawczynski.

After the press conference, Jackson led a rally outside of the Hennepin County Government Center.