Updated April 20
Biden to America after George Floyd verdict: ‘We can’t stop here’
The president and vice president call on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under the knee of former police officer Derek Chauvin last May.
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ZEKE MILLER and MICHAEL BALSAMOAssociated Press
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President Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, speaks Tuesday, at the White House in Washington after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Evan Vucci/Associated Press
By: Associated Press
WASHINGTON -
President Joe Biden said Tuesday the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism. But he declared that “it’s not enough.”
Biden spoke from the White House hours after the verdict alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, with the pair saying the country’s work is far from finished with the verdict.
“We can’t stop here,” Biden declared.
Biden and Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin’s knee last May. Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to “change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies.”
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden said Tuesday the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd “can be a giant step forward” for the nation in the fight against systemic racism. But he declared that “it’s not enough.”
Biden spoke from the White House hours after the verdict alongside Vice-President Kamala Harris, with the pair saying the country’s work is far from finished with the verdict.
“We can’t stop here,” Biden declared.
Biden and Harris called on Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform, including by approving a bill named for Floyd, who died with his neck under Chauvin’s knee last May. Beyond that, the president said, the entire country must confront hatred to “change hearts and minds as well as laws and policies.”
Wed, 04/21/2021 - 1:56pm tim
New Legislation Prevents End-Run of Courts by Government Agencies Buying Americans’ Data; Reflects Supreme Court Rulings that Digital is Different; Reps. Nadler and Lofgren to Introduce House Companion
Vermont Business Magazine US Senators Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont, Ron Wyden, D-Ore, and Rand Paul, R-Ky, and 17 other senators, today introduced a bill to put a stop to shady data brokers buying and selling Americans’ Constitutional rights.
The Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act closes the legal loophole that allows data brokers to sell Americans’ personal information to law enforcement and intelligence agencies without any court oversight – in contrast to the strict rules for phone companies, social media sites and other businesses that have direct relationships with consumers.
“A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice,” she said.
Biden addressed the nation after telephoning Floyd’s family following the verdict, telling them, “We’re all so relieved.” He added later that he sought to comfort Floyd’s young daughter Gianna, telling her, “Daddy did change the world.
The verdict and the aftermath will be a continuing test for Biden. He has pledged to help combat racism in policing, helping African Americans who supported him in large numbers in last year’s election in the wake of protests that swept the nation after Floyd’s death and restarted a national conversation about race. But he also has long projected himself as an ally of police, who are struggling with criticism about long-used tactics and training methods and difficulties in recruitment.