The City of Dallas is declaring Friday, June 4 as "George Perry Floyd Remembrance Day."
The declaration was made during a "Prayerful Remembrance" event at Dallas City Hall Plaza that started at 8 a.m.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, several faith leaders, U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson and members of the Dallas City Council helped lead the ceremony.
“In this city, for those of us who -- like me -- happen to be African American, let me say this. The killing of our brother George Floyd hurts. It hurts like it hurts anyone who has a heart and has a conscience," Mayor Johnson said.
One of the most profound moments came at precisely 8:46 a.m. when the group took a moment of silence for 8 minutes and 46 seconds -- the amount of time George Floyd was pinned to the ground by a Minneapolis police officer before he died.
Many took a knee or even laid on the ground during that moment.
Just as powerful -- a speech delivered by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson.
"I'm the mother of a son, who is the father of three sons. As my son was growing up, as my grandsons grew up, I never rested until I knew they were home. Not because they were bad kids, but because they were black," she said.
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She added, "Racism is nothing new to this country. It's part of the fabric... We aren't going to live in peace until we come grips with racism....I wonder how long will we wait, to see this system of justice work? The time is now."
She also spoke about her own experiences and feelings working as a black woman in leadership in the Washington, D.C.
"The very place where I work every day was built by slaves. It's called the U.S. Capitol. And when I walk through those doors, I'm reminded every day that the beginning of this building was from my blood and I'm still trying to be welcomed," she said. "I plead with you. I want to pray with you. We are here for a cause and we are all standing on the same side, but our job is not over."
NBC 5's Alanna Quillen contributed to this report.
