Today, April 20th, the jury in the Derek Chauvin trial released a verdict of guilty on all three counts of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
In response, the Minnesota State Senators representing Minneapolis released the following statement:
“This past year has been marked by the pain of so many in our communities and has united us all in the continued fight against racial injustice in Minnesota. We are committed to changing the current system to create accountability within our policing system and to hold police to the highest standard we should expect from those charged with enforcing the law and keeping us safe. Our BIPOC communities have been disproportionately impacted by police brutality and have demonstrated their resolution for achieving meaningful change to protect people of color within their communities.
“Minneapolis has gone through tremendous trauma within the past year. May the verdict bring some peace to Mr. Floyd’s family, friends, and our community.
“In advance of tonight, we are calling on law enforcement officers to treat protestors with dignity and respect, and to not participate in any escalation of violence that may occur. With concerns towards the cross-jurisdictional support from outside Minneapolis and outside the state, we are stressing the need for reasonable and calm reactions to protesters and members of the media exercising their First Amendment Rights.
“We recognize the importance of safety and the work towards maintaining peace, and we implore state, county, and city officials to remember the world is watching and that their actions can either contribute to the continuation of violence that our community has faced or they can stop the cycle that has been occurring for centuries.
“The fight for justice doesn’t end with this guilty verdict – the verdict strengthens our resolve to enact real systemic change and end racial injustice. It is time to once again come together and pass true police reform that will create impactful change to our current system. All people deserve to feel safe and secure within their own community, and we need to demonstrate as elected officials that we are making this a priority in the Minnesota State Senate.
“By working with our community, we can create a state where we all make it home safe at the end of the day, no matter our skin color or ZIP code.”
The city of Minneapolis is represented by the following: Sen. Kari Dziedzic, Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, Sen. Omar Fateh, Sen. Bobby Joe Champion, Sen. D. Scott Dibble.
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Learn more about Sen. Torres Ray.
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Learn more about Sen. Dibble.
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