People were angry, fed up. Floyd's death became a symbol of systemic racism. Advocates in the city say the verdict brought them a sense of relief. "Despite the fact that this is one specific case, although it does not equal true justice — it's just one verdict — it still sends an important symbolic message to everyone throughout the world, beyond the U.S., that criminal justice systems can be systems of equality and true justice," said Balarama Holness, the founder of the group Montreal In Action. "It does give a sign of hope for many people that felt the criminal justice system was never on their side."