Texas State Rep. Carl Sherman
While Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts today in the death of George Floyd, this is only the beginning of justice that our country is crying out for at this time. The Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz said today this verdict represents a pivotal moment for not only his state, but the entire country. Yes, the entire country is watching. The country is watching how justice is being served and how real change is not just necessary, but mandatory at this time. Now – not tomorrow or next week, but today, right now.
And there will not be a light at the end of the tunnel for anyone in this country until every individual from any community can sincerely say they are no longer afraid of unfairness and police brutality in a country where injustice has plagued us for many years.
People are tired of business as usual. While Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts, now we begin to continue to create change. We must take to heart and see that our justice system is meant for every individual in this state and in this country. We must not only create it, but live it and be part of the change. The eyes of the LORD are on us to be fair, unbiased and impartial. True impartiality means the system in America works for everyone not just a few.
I intend to always continue to work toward change that will create a fair and equal place for everyone no matter their race or their ethnicity.”
Texas Democratic Party Vice Chair Dr. Carla Brailey
After nearly a year of grief, pain, and outrage, in the wake of the senseless killing of George Floyd, we are left knowing that his killer will be held accountable. Nothing can bring back George Floyd, or erase the pain and loss his loved ones continue to suffer. But today’s verdict is a solace, small as it may be. We are seeing real change in our country.
George Floyd’s murder rallied millions and millions of Americans to take to the streets last year in our collective grief and outrage. We showed the world that we will not accept police brutality, and that the senseless killing of Black Americans will finally be met with consequences. All of us play a role in moving justice forward, and it starts with addressing the inequalities in our justice system.
Today’s verdict is a small step towards the dismantling of the gargantuan barrier that has prevented justice for so many families and communities affected by this national epidemic of senseless killing of Black Americans. It is a small step towards healing.
“My heart and thoughts are with George Floyd’s family today. This is an incredibly difficult, emotional time for them and for all the loved ones of the far too many Black Americans who have lost their lives to police brutality. Today, tomorrow, and always, Black Lives Matter! Black Lives Matter! Black Lives Matter! The fight is not over. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright, Jamarri Daiwon Tarver and far too many others should still be with us. We will keep fighting for justice in their name.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. reminded us that, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’ Today, we can say that the arc is finally bending towards justice, so let’s continue protesting and pushing for equality, racial equity and major change to fulfill our promise of democracy.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
This year, we have witnessed traumatizing instances of police brutality that Black Americans disproportionally experience, with the murder of George Floyd at the forefront of the conversation,” Engelbert said in a recent statement. “While this verdict represents a step toward justice, we are reminded that justice is too often not the outcome for people of color. The WNBA/WNBPA Social Justice Council will continue its work to combat injustice and inequality in our country and hope this represents a true turning point for how the effects of systemic racism begin to be addressed. We stand with all those who have felt the deep impact of George Floyd’s death.”
Carol Donovan, Dallas County Democratic Party Chairwoman
This verdict is justice for George Floyd and his family. This verdict is also justice for everyone who has ever been treated unfairly by the police, authorities, and within the American justice system,” said.
Floyd’s brutal death sparked months of protests across the country and calls for needed legislation including the George Floyd Act in the Texas legislature and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 both of which seek to address racial bias, police misconduct and excessive force.
As the sentencing phase moves forward, and as similar cases across the country are heard in court rooms, and former cases are re-examined, it is our hope that justice will continue to prevail. This guilty verdict cannot be the end of the conversation. DCDP calls for continued and meaningful legislation and systemic changes that address racism in our justice system and further accountability for violent police misconduct.
We realize that all governmental systems are only as good as the people within those systems. We pray for justice; we pray for equality; and we hope that all within our country will realize, once and for all, that Black Lives Matter.
Bishop T.D. Jakes
The jury sent an unmistakable message today that George Floyd’s death was unnecessary and criminal, that every individual accused or suspected of a crime has a right to his day in court and should not be slaughtered on a public sidewalk and that a nation that purports to be a beacon of law, justice and equality is better than what we saw in that video.
We are pleased that the jury convicted Chauvin on all three charges: second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. It sends a strong message.
While we are delighted by the jury’s verdict, we are mindful that there’s still a lot of work ahead of us. Our criminal justice system remains deeply flawed. Black people disproportionately remain victims of police brutality and are more likely to be pulled over or cited for negligible or phantom traffic violations. Let us not relent in our efforts to press our local, state and federal elected officials for police reform, particularly as it relates to qualified immunity, bias training, de-escalation training and uniform hiring standards.
My prayer is that this will ignite a safer society where justice is equally allocated to absolutely everyone irrespective of socio-economics, race, religion or gender. Thank you to the many officers who do not stoop to such atrocities and honestly work toward protecting us every day.
