The murder conviction of US police officer Derek Chauvin has been hailed as a milestone in a long journey towards police accountability for the killings of Black Americans, with President Joe Biden calling it “a moment of significant change”.
The killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who died after then-officer Chauvin kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes in May last year, sparked protests across the United States that resonated across the world.
On Tuesday, Chauvin’s conviction on second and third-degree murder, as well as manslaughter, again sent shockwaves, eliciting responses from world leaders, rights groups, legislators, and police organisations.
Floridians, lawmakers and others react to the Chauvin guilty verdict
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AP
Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, listen as Assistant Minnesota Attorney General Matthew Frank, questions witness Donald Williams, as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn. Chauvin is charged in the May 25, 2020 death of George Floyd. (Court TV via AP, Pool)
and last updated 2021-04-20 22:12:36-04
Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all charges Tuesday, April 20. Floridians took to social media and the streets to voice their opinions.
Sunburn â The morning read of whatâs hot in Florida politics â 4.21.21
Guilty.
Guilty.
Derrick Chauvin murdered
George Floyd, the hammer of justice sounded loudly on all three counts he faced.
The video of Chauvin’s neck on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes was damning enough. There was more, though. Throughout the ordeal, the smug, superior expression on Chauvin’s face told volumes about the disregard he had for Floyd’s life.
Guilty. Guilty. Guilty. Image via AP.
This wasn’t a routine arrest over Floyd’s passing of a counterfeit $20 bill. Chauvin’s action that day was racism at its diabolical worst.