Rochester leaders respond to the Derek Chauvin murder conviction
On Tuesday afternoon, a jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin of murder in the death of George Floyd. Below are excerpts of how a number of local leaders and organizations responded to the news.
Rochester FOr Justice
“Not happy nor sad. While the verdict was appropriate, the work around ending the current system of community policing in it entirety with a complete paradigm shift should still be the focus.”
NAACP Rochester Branch
From Facebook: “Guilty Guilty Guilty Guilty Guilty. We're in tears. Justice for #GeorgeFloyd, black people and people of color. Our #BlackLivesMatter ! Guilty on ALL 3 counts and more! The fight for #socialjustice continues. We won't give up, give in or give out until ALL people regardless of race have social justice in this country. We are done dying. #WeAreDoneDying”
GOv. TIm Walz
“Today’s verdict is an important step forward for justice in Minnesota. The trial is over, but our work has only begun.”
Rochester Mayor Kim Norton
“We are committed to creating a safe, just and fair community for every Rochester resident. Today we hold the Floyd family and others in the BIPOC community in our thoughts as they are allowed some resolution to their pain and trauma. We know this difficult time will serve to usher in needed changes across the country and we must all help assure that these changes improve the lives of all of our friends and neighbors. Together we can make our community a stronger, better place to live.”
The City of Rochester
“The City of Rochester is striving to be inclusive, where all people are treated with dignity and respect. While the verdict reached today in the Chauvin trial brings about closure to a time filled with varying emotions, the pain, mistrust, and historical trauma by members of our community will continue to stay open.”
State Rep. TIna Liebling
“Upon learning of the guilty verdicts in the trial of Derek Chauvin I feel a sense of relief mixed with sadness. Relief that justice has been done in this case, but sadness that basic accountability and justice are so hard to obtain. The work for real justice and accountability in our country is not over, but I hope today marks a turning point.
“We need a change in the culture of policing, so the profession attracts and empowers officers who want to protect and serve, and does not tolerate those whose conduct brings pain and distrust to communities. As a policymaker, I will continue to support laws and that move us toward that change. Our Black and Brown neighbors—and all of us—deserve that and so much more.”
Cover photo: 2020 demonstration in Rochester / William Forsman
