After nearly a year of speculation about the outcome of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the wait is over. This afternoon, Judge Cahill rendered the Jury’s decision: guilty on all charges. Leaders across Minnesota have given the following statements regarding the outcome.
Governor Tim Walz said that while the verdict is a ‘step towards justice,’ there is more to be done. In his statement, he recounted the events of May 25th, 2020, and the past year that Minnesota has gone through.
“A year later, Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of murder and faces years behind bars,” the statement read. “But we know that accountability in the courtroom is only the first step.”
The statement continued and acknowledged that ‘no verdict can bring George back’ saying that the ‘pursuit of justice’ would not end.
“Too many Black people have lost—and continue to lose—their lives at the hands of law enforcement in our state,” read the statement from Walz. “Our communities of color cannot go on like this. Our police officers cannot go on like this. Our state simply cannot go on like this. And the only way it will change is through systemic reform.”
The statement closed off by saying Minnesota must ‘reimagine’ the relationship between police and the communities they serve, calling for ‘systemic reform’ overall.
Governor Walz’s complete statement can be read here.
The Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, also released a statement this afternoon.
“Today the jury joined in a shared conviction that has animated Minneapolis for the last 11 months: they refused to look away. They believed their own eyes and affirmed George Floyd should still be here today,” read Frey’s statement. “Generation after generation, year after year, this measure of basic justice has been denied to our Black community. That there will be Black Minneapolis residents and Minnesotans left stunned, suspended in disbelief that the jury actually delivered this moment for George Floyd – that reality speaks volumes to the trauma our society has inflicted both quietly and overtly."
Frey went on to say Minneapolis is a ‘deeply imperfect city,’ but that people are ‘committed to doing the work’ for change. Frey also noted that the city had a ‘shared purpose’ to fight for racial justice and an ‘unmatched love’ for the City of Minneapolis.
Mayor Frey’s full statement can be read here.
Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (Republican, East Gull Lake) of the Minnesota Senate had the following to say:
“Every American is entitled to justice through the legal system. Though no verdict will bring George Floyd back, I pray the Floyd family today is in some way comforted knowing the judicial system has provided justice. Today we have been reminded the determination of guilt is best decided by a jury of peers reviewing the facts,” Gazelka said.
Minnesota State Senate DFL Leader Susan Kent (Democrat, Woodbury) had the following to say:
“I am grateful that today, justice was served, and Derek Chauvin will be held accountable for the murder of George Floyd. But one conviction does not change an entire system. We must act urgently to pass needed police reforms because every Minnesotan – regardless of race, zip code or economic status – deserves to make it home safe at the end of the day.”
The Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis also released a statement, first thanking the jury for their efforts and then expressing their condolences over the loss of George Floyd. The federation also asked that the ‘political pandering’ come to an end.
“There are no winners in this case and we respect the jury’s decision. We need the political pandering to stop and the race baiting of elected officials to stop. In addition, we need to stop the divisive comments and we all need to do better to create a Minneapolis we all love,” the Federation said. “To all the residents of Minneapolis, the POFM stands with you, and not against you. Looking forward to working together for a safer, better tomorrow.”
