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Agencies

A jury on Tuesday convicted former Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin of murder in the arrest of George Floyd, a milestone in the fraught racial history of the United States and a rebuke of law enforcement’s treatment of black Americans.
Here are some initial reactions to the verdict:
US President Joe Biden
“Systematic racism is a stain on our nation’s soul … No one should be above the law. Today’s verdict sends that message. But it’s not enough. We can’t stop here.”
US Vice-President Kamala Harris
“A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice. This verdict brings us a step closer, and the fact is we still have work to do. We still must reform the system.”
Floyd’s brother, Rodney Floyd
“I am feeling tears of joy, so emotional that no family in history ever got this far. We were able to get a guilty charge on all counts. We got a chance to go to trial and we took it all the way. This right here is for everyone that’s been in this situation. Everybody.”
Floyd family lawyer Ben Crump
“GUILTY! Painfully earned justice has finally arrived for George Floyd’s family. This verdict is a turning point in history and sends a clear message on the need for accountability of law enforcement. Justice for black America is justice for all of America!”



Former US president Barack Obama
“Today, a jury did the right thing. But true justice requires much more. Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with all those who are committed to guaranteeing every American the full measure of justice that George and so many others have been denied.”
Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton
“George Floyd’s family and community deserved for his killer to be held accountable. Today, they got that accountability. Always and forever, black lives matter.”
Former US president Bill Clinton
“The jury made the right decision in convicting Derek Chauvin for murdering George Floyd. His tragic death, and the evidence at the trial, made painfully clear that we must do much better in recruiting, training, and holding law enforcement accountable to the communities they serve. The failure to do so continues to plague America, as we have seen in recent days.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz
“Today’s verdict is an important step forward for justice in Minnesota. The trial is over, but our work has only begun. The world watched on May 25, 2020 as George Floyd died with a knee on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Thousands of Minnesotans marched in the streets last summer in the wake of his death – inspiring a movement around the globe. While many of these people never met George, they valued his humanity. They knew what happened was wrong. They called for change, and they demanded justice.”
British PM Boris Johnson
“I was appalled by the death of George Floyd and welcome this verdict. My thoughts tonight are with George Floyd’s family and friends.”


American Civil Liberties Union
“For the first time in Minnesota state history, a white police officer has been held accountable for killing a black man. While today’s verdict is a small win for police accountability and may help heal a grieving community, the systems that allowed George to be murdered – ripping him away from his family and the communities that loved him so much – remain fully intact.”
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
“Justice has prevailed in the case against #GeorgeFloyds killer #DerekChauvin, but the work is not done! We must keep fighting to end qualified immunity, and we must get #PoliceReformNOW.”
Martin Luther King III
“Justice has been served for the Floyd family. But no conviction can replace the life of George Floyd or the countless other unarmed black Americans who have died at the hands of police. Police brutality stems from a justice system that is deeply rooted in racism, a system that must be completely changed in order for us to reach true justice.”
US Senator Raphael Warnock
“My heart goes out to the Floyd family. Thankfully today they received something that approaches justice. Obviously, it will not bring George Floyd back. Hopefully this is the beginning of a turning point in our country, where people who have seen this trauma over and over again, will know that we have equal protection under the law.”
US Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez
“That a family had to lose a son, brother and father; that a teenage girl had to film and post a murder, that millions across the country had to organise and march just for George Floyd to be seen and valued is not justice. And this verdict is not a substitute for policy change.”
National Fraternal Order of Police
“The trial was fair and due process was served. We hope and expect that all of our fellow citizens will respect the rule of law and remain peaceful tonight and in the days to come.”


NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and National Basketball Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts
“We are pleased that justice appears to have been served. But we also recognise that there is much work to be done.”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan
“The senseless murder of George Floyd served as yet another reminder that we still have a long way to go to live up to our nation’s highest ideals. Justice has now been served, and we hope that this verdict will bring some measure of peace to the Floyd family and the community.”
Talk show host Oprah Winfrey
“Relieved – and emotional in ways I didn’t expect. I cried tears of joy as each verdict was read.”
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer
“This guilty verdict serves as an official proclamation of what so many of us have known for nearly a year: George Floyd was murdered by an officer who was sworn to protect and serve. However, we should not mistake a guilty verdict in this case as evidence that the persistent problem of police misconduct has been solved.”
Singer Mariah Carey
“A beginning. A small grain of hope for our future.”
Reporting by Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Associated Press


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United States

‘We can’t stop here’: America reacts to Derek Chauvin’s conviction in George Floyd murder case

People pose for pictures in front of a mural for George Floyd in Minneapolis. Photo: AP

People celebrate the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trail in Minneapolis. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Gianna Floyd, the daughter of George Floyd, joins family and supporters during a news conference in Minneapolis. Photo: AP

Derek Chauvin found guilty of all charges in murder of George Floyd

People celebrate in New York City after the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. Photo: Reuters

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin (centre) is taken into custody after the verdicts were read at the trial for the 2020 death of George Floyd at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis on Tuesday. Photo: Court TV via AP

Demonstrators march through downtown Minneapolis demanding justice for George Floyd and Daunte Wright on Monday. Photo: Reuters

People In Minneapolis react after the verdict was read in the Derek Chauvin trial on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

A person standing on a car waves a flag after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the death of George Floyd, in front of Hennepin County Government Centre in Minneapolis on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Derek Chauvin murder trial: kneeling on George Floyd’s neck ‘totally unnecessary’, says senior policeman

Law enforcement stands guard as crews remove artwork from temporary fencing outside the Hennepin County Government Centre in Minneapolis on Friday, as the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd continues. Photo: AFP

Minneapolis police Lieutenant Richard Zimmerman answers questions on the fifth day of the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin for murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Friday. Photo: Reuters

People confront law enforcement as crews remove artwork demanding justice for George Floyd from the fencing outside the Hennepin County Government Centre in Minneapolis on Friday. Photo: AFP

News

World

United States & Canada


Former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the 46-year-old’s neck
Here are some immediate reactions to the guilty verdict



Former police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter for pinning George Floyd to the pavement with his knee on the 46-year-old’s neck.


Racism and other prejudice

Joe Biden

Kamala Harris

George Floyd protests