Some people really are genuinely, undeniably, deplorable.

Imagine how devoid of basic empathy you must be to hurl abuse at #BlackLivesMatter protesters as they pass by, whilst reenacting the murder of George Floyd.

Enter James DeMarco, who was filmed doing exactly that in footage first posted online on Monday, as protesters marched through Franklinville, New Jersey.

Some background via Newsweek:

The New Jersey men repeatedly blamed Floyd for not “complying” with the police who ultimately caused his death. Signs touting President Donald Trump’s campaign and “All Lives Matter” surrounded them as demonstrators labeled them “disgusting.”

“This is what happens, this is what happens, comply with the cops, comply with the cops,” the man can be heard saying as he presses his knee into the back of another man laying face-first in the ground. “This is what happens, comply with the cops. He’s dead because he didn’t comply.”

Here’s some footage from the protesters’ perspective:

James Demarco of Franklinville apparently thinks the death of George Floyd was funny enough to mock how he was killed, under a knee.

I wonder how funny his employer @FedEx thinks it is?pic.twitter.com/RAtOXzzsQy

— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) June 9, 2020

When the footage was first uploaded, Twitter and Reddit detectives got to work, with James and his brother Jim quickly identified.

James’ employers, FedEx, were alerted to his actions, and some karma was dished out. Again from Newsweek:

“The behavior depicted in the video, which involved a FedEx employee, is appalling and offensive,” read a statement from FedEx sent to Newsweek on Tuesday. “The employee in question was immediately removed from all FedEx work duties while our investigation is concluded and all internal procedures are followed. A diverse and inclusive workforce is at the heart of our business, and we stand with those who support justice and equality.” FedEx did not name the employee who was suspended in its statement.

Later on that same day, FedEx informed Newsweek that James DeMarco had been fired from his position with the company.

Another person involved in the reenactment of Floyd’s death has been suspended from his position as a New Jersey corrections officer, pending an investigation.

Yes, one of those men was a corrections officer.

To finish off on a slightly more uplifting note, Floyd’s funeral, held yesterday in his home town of Houston, featured a ray of hope, with Dray Tate’s performance of Sam Cooke’s civil rights anthem, A Change is Gonna Come, a particularly touching moment.

As the protests continue across America, and the world, changes in policing policies and reforms across the US are already happening.

There is much work to be done, and it’s been a long time coming, but the fight has only just begun.

[sources:newsweek&newsweek]