Emotional Crowd Shows Support at Philando Castile’s Funeral

They worshiped in somber hymns, rollicking songs and fiery sermons.

Some held hands in a human chain.

Family, friends and supporters gathered at the Cathedral of Saint Paul Thursday to pay their final respects to the African-American man killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Minnesota last week.

But the July 6 death of Philando Castile, 32, of Robbinsdale, has been followed by daily protests across the Twin Cities, including in St. Anthony.

The burial service after the ceremony was private, the Tribune reported, and a reception was planned later on Thursday at the school where Castile worked as a cafeteria supervisor. He loved playing video games, reading about his Egyptian heritage and “thinking in solitude”. “I’m hurting real bad” – but “it’s Phil’s day”.

Castile’s aunt, Beverly Taylor, offered a heartfelt personal poem to her nephew.

“My brother my hero, your heart was so pure and solid as gold …”

“It’s been going on too long”, his mother, Valerie Castile, told reporters on Tuesday. But you making some noise now Baby!!!!!!

St. Paul Police Spokesman Sgt. Mike Enster said Castile’s uncle was working with the funeral director to arrange the service and they contacted police a few days prior.

The Rev. Steve Daniels Jr., pastor of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in St. Paul, delivered a eulogy, where he called for unity, change and conversion.

Members of Sounds of Blackness said Castile “looked like royalty”, after addressing reports that Castile resembled a robbery suspect.

At the school Thursday morning, a memorial of flowers and a “Black Lives Matter” sign was on the ground out front. “Thank God that they were not struck by some of those bullets”. A beat later, he acknowledged: “I didn’t get too many claps that time”. “We’re all in this together”.

Castile’s death came on the heels of another police shooting, that of Alton Sterling down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Pall bearers were dressed in all white and led the family into the cathedral following a processional where Castile’s body made its way to the church in a horse-drawn carriage.

Some have been critical of the governor and his suggestion that race played a role in the shooting, but people at the barbecue were grateful he attended. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar and Congressman Keith Ellison, among other dignitaries.

The Rev. John Ubel, rector of the Catholic cathedral that overlooks downtown St. Paul, said the day will prove to have been a good one if it brings people of different backgrounds together and gives them a “tiny measure of peace”.