President Joe Biden has said 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. Biden spoke from the White House hours after the verdict alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, with the pair calling for Congress to act swiftly to address policing reform. It s not enough, Biden said of the verdict. We can t stop here. Biden spoke after telephoning Floyd s family, telling them, We re all so relieved. Before Tuesday s guilty verdicts were read out, Biden said he was praying for the right verdict in the trial of Chauvin.
Former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted on Tuesday of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the Black man s neck in a case that triggered worldwide protests, violence and a furious reexamination of racism and policing in the US. Chauvin (45), was immediately led away with his hands cuffed behind his back and could be sent to prison for decades. The verdict guilty on all counts, in a clear-cut victory for Floyd s supporters set off jubilation tinged with sorrow around the city. Hundreds of people poured into the streets, some running through traffic with banners. Cars blared their horns.
Executive Director Rick Chavez Zbur and
Executive Director-designate Tony Hoang:
Executive Director-designate Tony Hoang: “George Floyd’s life matters. Breonna Taylor’s life matters. Jaida Peterson’s life matters. Emmett Till’s life matters. Black lives matter. “Derek Chauvin’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. He stole George Floyd’s life and his future from him, from his family, from his community and from the world. “Today’s verdict delivered some amount of justice and brought some relief. But nothing can bring George Floyd back to his daughter Gianna, his brothers Philonise and Terrence, his girlfriend Courteney and to everyone who knew and loved him. We all have a role to play in ending police violence and combating racism. We all have a responsibility to stand up for racial equity and justice. This is everyone’s fight, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines.
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Philonise Floyd, brother of George Floyd, becomes emotional as he testifies as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides over court Monday, April 12, 2021
Image: Court TV-Pool (AP)
Day 11 of Derek Chauvin’s trial saw a cardiologist push back against the idea a heart attack caused George Floyd’s death; George Floyd’s brother gave a moving “spark-of-life” testimony, and another use of force expert explained how the force used on Floyd was not within reason.
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The police shooting of 20-year-old Daunte Wright in nearby Brooklyn Center on Sunday cast yet another shadow over the proceedings. According to the New York Times, Defense attorney Eric Nelson requested that the jurors be sequestered, as any potential unrest in the city could have the undue effect of making the jurors feel like they can’t cast a “not guilty” verdict for fear of causing more unrest. Judge Peter Cahill declined the request, saying “This is a totally different case.”
By Dominick Mastrangelo - 04/13/21 07:50 AM EDT
Protesters in Minnesota clashed with police on Monday evening after the police chief in Brooklyn Center said that the officer who shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop on Sunday meant to deploy a taser instead of her gun.
Hundreds of people flowed into the streets of the Minneapolis suburb to renew calls for police reform and an end to systemic racism in law enforcement. Tensions in the area and nation are already strained amid the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer accused of murdering George Floyd.
Videos and photos taken during the protests late Monday show protesters marching, chanting and holding signs demanding justice for Wright s death.