George Floyd's brother: 'God set my brother aside to change the world and get justice for all'
Philonise Floyd speaks to ITV News US Correspondent Emma Murphy
The younger brother of George Floyd has said that he is "optimistic" about getting justice for his brother, adding: "God set him aside to to change the world."
Philonise Floyd spoke of his pride that the death of his brother sparked a wave of protests in the US and the demanding of justice and racial equality.
Speaking to ITV News ahead of the first day of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer accused of murdering his brother, Mr Floyd said: "Justice for all, that is what he'd be looking for.
"He's not here but that's what he would want."
He said that as a child George would tell his little brother that his "name is going to be all around the world.
Mr Floyd said: "I used to think he was talking about basketball or football or acting or something.
"But for something like this to happen, it had to be a plan or something. It is something that God already had set aside for him to change the world."
Mr Chauvin has been charged with unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter
The video of Derek Chauvin pressing his knee on Mr Floyd's neck for several minutes, that sparked outrage across the world, was shown in court on Monday as part of the opening arguments of the prosecution in the case.
Mr Floyd said he was optimistic about the case, adding: "I am expecting to get a conviction, I'm expecting to get justice for my brother.
"We come down here for conviction and justice, not just for us and our family but for everybody who went through trials and tribulations."
"It is a time for change and that time is now," he said. "My brother had the world in tears who watched that video because they knew it was wrong."
He said he had gratitude for the protests that took place internationally, adding: "He has created so many allies across the world. People who didn't believe that people could be better, they see it now.
"I want to thank the protesters, people who came out to march because they made me feel well assured that we will get justice."
Mr Floyd and other members of George's family have launched a memorial foundation in his name which he says promotes education, justice and advocacy for African Americans.
"I'm turning my pain into purpose," he said. "I want to be able to help when things are bad for other people."
Ahead of Mr Chauvin's trial, the Floyd family and legal team took the knee for eight minutes and 46 seconds - the amount of time Chauvin held his knee to Mr Floyd's neck.
The family lawyer, Ben Crump said that they expect the jury to hold Mr Chauvin "fully accountable for the criminal acts that he did".
The trial is expected to last about four weeks at the courthouse in downtown Minneapolis, which has been fortified with concrete barriers, fencing, and barbed wire.