Barack Obama commended the jury that found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin culpable on all charges in the murder of George Floyd but noted that additional work remains.
On Tuesday (April 20), the former president issued a statement in which he expressed his feelings about the verdict. “Today, a jury made the correct decision,” he wrote. “George Floyd’s death under the knee of a police officer has reverberated around the world for nearly a year, inspiring murals and marches, sparking conversations in living rooms and new legislation. But a more fundamental question has always remained: will justice be served? At least, in this case, we have an answer. But, if we are honest with ourselves, we know that true justice entails far more than a single verdict in a single trial.”
“True justice necessitates accepting the fact that Black Americans are treated differently daily. It necessitates acknowledging that millions of our friends, family, and fellow citizens live in fear that their next encounter with law enforcement will be their last,” he added. “And it necessitates us doing the sometimes thankless, often difficult, but always necessary work of transforming the America we know into the America we believe in.”
“While today’s verdict was a necessary step on the road to progress,” Obama said, “it was far from a sufficient once.” “We are unable to sleep.”
Chauvin was convicted on three counts on Tuesday (April 20), including second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The 12-person jurors deliberated for ten hours before reaching a decision.
Chauvin was immediately taken away in handcuffs after the verdict was read. His bond has been revoked, and he will remain in custody until his eight-week sentencing. RESULTSANDNOHYPE and MUZIQUE Magazine are monitoring this story in real time.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. You can read more of Jonathan P. Wright’s work in the Editorial Picks section.
