Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held a press conference following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin Trial. Alongside Frey during the press conference were two Minneapolis City Councilmembers.
“We are a city on the precipices of extraordinary change and progress we are a city that is collectively untied around the change that has been prevented for generations and generations,” Frey said in his opening remarks.
Frey thanked George Floyd’s family for their strength during the trial and the past year. While Frey was grateful for the verdict that was announced today, he wanted to be clear that there is still work that needs to be done in the community.
“This is day one,” Frey said.
Frey shared that he is still working with Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo on reform as well as helping other areas of the community.
“Deep seeded change” is what Frey said the city needs. Not only with policing but also in other areas like housing.
Frey reflected on when he first witnessed the video of Floyd’s death and shared that he immediately realized the need for change in his city.
“To say there was a tremendous amount of relief would be an understatement,” Frey said. “We all wanted to see justice.”
Andrea Jacobs, a Minneapolis City Council member, spoke during the press conference as well calling attention to the support needed for the Minneapolis community.
Jacobs shared her condolences to those in the community and echoed Frey’s comments of the work not being done. Jacobs went on to share that George Floyd Square, the intersection where Floyd was murdered, the heart of the nation.
Frey was asked what is next for the intersection of 38th street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. Frey recognized the importance of the intersection for racial justice but stated that the intersection will need to be reopened eventually.
Calling attention to the crime that has continued in the area Frey acknowledged those who live there and what has happened in their community for the past year.
During closing questions, Frey talked about Operation Safety Net and stated the while he imagines the program will end soon he does not have a specific date for it set.
Frey thanked Keith Ellison as well as the jurors who were a part of the jury that found Chauvin guilty on all three charges brought against him.
As of right now, there is no curfew set for the city of Minneapolis there is however an 11 p.m. curfew for Brooklyn Center.
