What Indianapolis leaders, organizations are saying about the Derek Chauvin verdict – IndyStar

The family of George Floyd is celebrating after former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted Tuesday of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death. "Today, we are able to breathe again," Floyd's brother Philonise said. (April 20) AP Domestic

The killing of George Floydshocked the nation last summer. On Tuesday, nearly one year later, a Hennepin County, Minnesota, jury moved the country once again:this time, with a guilty verdict in the trial of officer Derek Chauvin.

Cheers were heard outside the courtroom immediately after the reading of the verdict.Crowds in Minneapolischanted "All three counts!"

The former Minneapolis policeofficer was seen on video pinning Floyd to the ground with his knee for more than nine minutesas Floyd pleaded that he could not breathe.

The video of the arrest set off days of protests over the summer and served as aflashpoint for conversations about police brutality and racial injustice.

Chauvin faced three charges: second-degree murder,third-degree murder andsecond-degree manslaughter.After 14 days of testimony and more than 10 hours of deliberation, the jury found Chauvin guiltyon all three charges.

Local,state and federal officials are weighing in on the highly-anticipated verdict.

Live updates: Derek Chauvin jury reaches verdict in George Floyd's death

Here's what they are saying:

"The ruling in the Derek Chauvin trial is a clear step toward justice for the Floyd family and our entire country. However theres still much more work ahead to reform our criminal justice system.

"We need to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in order to prevent injustices and senseless loss of life in the future. Lets continue working together to enact change and honor the memory of all who have lost their lives to police brutality."

"I think this was a good day for Black America," Harrison told IndyStar. "I think certainly this doesnt solve all of our concerns and issues. But I think for the first time, you know, we had a case where we've really felt like there was justice done. And I think a lot of Black people, I've been hearing from members and people from the community, they feel a sense of relief andfeel the sense that there was justice this time done ...And hopefully this verdict will send a message to those officers across the country that they're going to be held to a higher standard, and they have to abide by the oath that they took to serve and protect all of the community and not just some."

"Our understanding of justice and abolition has been impacted heavily by the death of George Floyd, along with the deaths of Dreasjon Reed and McHale Rose. Today, the justice system attempted to acknowledge the fatally racist standards held by the police by convicting Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd.

"As abolitionist, we understand that a conviction does not equate to justice or equity and that the conditions that created the environments for global uprisings to occur are present in our own communities: poverty, neglect by city leadership, and an overzealous police budget.

"Now is the time to commit to abolition fully and to defund the systems and entities that mass-produce these agents of white supremacy.

"We look forward to continuing the necessary work of political education and direct action so that our communities can thrive. We send our love and healing intentions to all families impacted by the state and the police. To freedom, and by any means."

Todays guilty verdict is one step in our journey to examine the role of the criminal justice system, particularly policing, in the treatment of Black Americans, said Mary Chandler, Board Chair of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee."Todays verdict represents accountability: for the Minneapolis community, for those who knew and loved Mr. Floyd and for our own ongoing commitment to listen, learn about the Black experience and promote change in the interest of a just future for our City."

We must have real conversations about policing and police reforms. But we must also move beyond conversations and get to action that creates meaningful change, saidTiffany Benjamin of the GIPC Executive Committee and Senior Director of Social Impact for Eli Lilly and Company. "By working together, we canand muststop this seemingly endless cycle that causes so much pain and lessens our communities, city and nation.

"For the past 11 months people of goodwill have prayed that George Floyds death would not be in vain and that justice would be done. Mr. Floyds family said they want peace and do not want to see any further violence. Racism is not a thing of the past and we all must continue to work and pray that the God-given dignity of all people, especially those in our country whose voices have not been heard adequately, will be respected. Let us never turn a blind eye to racism and let us pray that God will heal our broken world."

"Over the past year, Americans have stood and loudly stated that we will not simply bear witness to such grave injustices as those suffered by George Floyd and so many before him.

"While todays verdict can never right the wrongs committed against Mr. Floyd, today the world watched as we held power accountable. We must continue to be vocal and see to it that we fix a broken system that has divided us for too long."

People flooded George Floyd Square in Minneapolis minutes after former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death, which triggered worldwide protests last summer. (April 20) AP Domestic

"Indy Pride stands with our BIPOC community members today as the news of the Derek Chauvin trial breaks. We see you. We support you. We stand with you in our fight for justice and police accountability. We are relieved to see Derek Chauvin convicted of all charges and held accountable for his role in the death of George Floyd.

We reflect and remember George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and the lives lost at the hands of police brutality. We send love and light to our community members that are deeply affected by this, today and every day.

Let us celebrate this very small victory in the battle of inequality. This is the moment to make our voices louder and not let this moment halt the necessary continuing movement for police reform and equality."

"Each day, people across Indianapolis, across our state and across the country stood up to make their voice heard and to demand change. In this one instance, justice prevailed. But there remains significant work."

Thankfully, the jury reached the right decision and justice will be served," State Senator Melton's statement read in part."It is my hope now that a proper sentence is given that fits the crime committed and our entire country can use this case to transform the relationship and trust between people of color and the police.

"While the trial against Derek Chauvin was put on spotlight this month, it does not address or solve the ongoing injustices and problems too many Black men face on a daily occurrence across Indiana. Black men like myself in cities like Gary and Indianapolis are still to this day subjected to a culture where police misconduct against the Black community is never-ending and is on every screen and media space. We are simply unable to remove ourselves from a system that was never created to treat us fairly or justly. Police brutality against Black Hoosiers has always been prevalent in American culture, its just that the introduction of body cameras and smartphones finally exposed injustices in real time to millions across the country ...Systemic racism will only end in Indiana if leaders present a transparent process and solution to the public and lawmakers hold themselves to a higher standard that matches the values of our country, not the current political landscape. And lastly, I pray for the family of George Floyd and hope they received the closure they deserve.

"We remaincommitted to ending racism and promoting social justice. The events of last May prompted us to change the way we listen to communities who are marginalized and invest our resources to champion equality. We know making sustainable change is difficult, and we will continue to use the unifying power of basketball as a way to bring people together and work toward meaningful solutions."

"We hope this will be the beginning of the criminal justice reform that needs to take place both nationally and locally.

The great sacrifices and protests that were carried out demonstrate that the system needs significant change. It should not take numerous protests and other sacrifices to receive justice. We are grateful that the jurors had the courage to do the right thing.

This is bigger than politics. Racism is embedded in the fabric of our nation's foundation and is a blemish on our country's history. If we are to change course and make our world a better place, we must face this problem head-on and act now to enact positive change.

It is time to accept accountability and acknowledge the ramifications of slavery and racial injustice. We want Liberty and justice for all!

Though we cannot right all the wrongs of our country's history, we can make some intentional actions:

Dr. Martin Luther KingJr. said, No, no, we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream. The words of Dr. King could never be truer. As a result, we see this victory as a step in the right direction and hopefully the beginning that leads to much needed change. These changes are not just for our generation, but for the generations that follow, for our sons and daughters and for their children."

"Addressing systemic racism is a journey, and it will take all of us coming together and doing the hard work to make the world a fairer and more just place. Lilly is committed to racial justice and will continue to push towards lasting change."

"We hope the outcome of the Derek Chauvin trial will begin to bring healing to our community and address the many factors that we know adversely affect families of color. While justice prevailed in this case, the racial trauma and repeated exposure to stories of violence and inequalities is still an on-going concern," HSE Schools said in a statement, in addition to district commitments and tips on how to talk about the verdict with your family.

"Thank you George Floyd, for sacrificing your life for justice. For being there to call out to your mom. How heartbreaking was that? Call out for your mom, 'I can't breathe.' But because of you and because of thousands, millions of people around the world who came out for justice, your name will always be synonymous with justice," Pelosi said in a press conference.

Pelosi later tweeted: "George Floyd should be alive today. His familys calls for justice for his murder were heard around the world. He did not die in vain. We must make sure other families don't suffer the same racism, violence & pain, and we must enact the George Floyd #JusticeInPolicing Act."

Vice President Harris and President Biden and made joint remarks on the verdict Tuesday evening at the White House.

Today, we feel a sigh of relief," Harris said. "Still, it cannot take away the pain. A measure of justice isnt the same as equal justice. This verdict brings us a step closer. And the fact is, we still have work to do.

Harris also spoke about the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which she introduced last year.

The President and I will continue to urge the Senate to pass this legislation, not as a panacea for every problem, but as a start. This work is long overdue. America has a long history of systemic racism We are all a part of George Floyd's legacy. And our job now is to honor it and to honor him.

After Chauvin's guilty verdict: A trial for policing, struggle for public trust begins anew

Biden spoke after Harris, calling the verdict "a step forward" but recognizing that "such a verdict is also much too rare for so many people."

"It was a murder in full light of day and it ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism the stain on our nation's soul, the knee on the neck of justice for Black Americans ...this can be a giant step forward in the marchtoward justice in America," Biden said.

"No one should be above the law, and today's verdict sendsthat message. But it's not enough.We can't stop here. In order to deliver real change and reform,we can and we must do more to reduce the likelihood that tragedies like this will ever happen and occur again."

Contact IndyStar trending reporter Rashika Jaipuriar at rjaipuriar@gannett.com andfollow her on Twitter@rashikajpr.

Read or Share this story: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2021/04/20/derek-chauvin-verdict-trial-update-george-floyd-reaction-in-indianapolis/7307902002/

See original here:

What Indianapolis leaders, organizations are saying about the Derek Chauvin verdict - IndyStar