On Tuesday afternoon, former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts for the murder of George Floyd and the reactions did not wait for those who clamored for justice.
Angélica Salas, executive director of the Immigrant Rights Coalition (CHIRLA) said the verdict does not change the fact that George Floyd is no longer alive and with his loved ones. But it does demonstrate the urgent need to change unfair and racial policing in the United States.
“Communities of color remain at risk at every traffic stop. Americans should hate that, ”Salas said. “We must invest in the community and increase the accountability of those who violate the human rights of our community members.”
Councilor Mark Ridley-Thomas said the verdict is a victory for justice , for accountability and common sense.
“But despite today’s outcome, our hearts are still heavy for George Floyd’s loved ones who have lost a father, a brother and a friend, ”said the Los Angeles councilman representing the district 10. “Although his life was senselessly cut short, Mr. Floyd’s legacy lives on through our collective work and advocacy to reinvent law enforcement across this country.”
Los Angeles City Councilmember Mitch O ‘Farrell said that nothing can eliminate or cure the pain that George Floyd’s murder has caused, but the jury made sure that Chauvin is held accountable.
“Our journey continues and I remain committed to helping bring the kind of real change that communities of color demand and that everyone deserves, ”said O’Farrell who represents the 13 district of Los Angeles. I stand in solidarity with the black community and will continue to work with my colleagues at Los Angeles City Council to transform what public safety means in the future. ”
California Senator Alex Padilla said the verdict represents the promise of the justice system: that power cannot protect a criminal and that all victims deserve justice, regardless of the color of their skin.
“Too often, to the communities of color has been denied this promise, ”said Senator Padilla. “The disproportionate use of force by police officers against people of color is a stain on our nation. The list of Black and Latino Americans killed by law enforcement and denied accountability in court is abominably long. ”
Los Angeles County Attorney George Gascón , said that as a former deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), he is aware of the use of force and has faced circumstances in which he could have used force but did not do so.
Now more than ever, he said he will continue to advocate for better officer training, greater accountability in use of force cases, and an independent review of officer-involved shootings.
” Effective police surveillance must be fair and equitable to improve our collective security, ”said the prosecutor Gascón. “We must continue working together to build a justice system that promotes equal access to justice for all.”
Floyd’s legacy
California Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA – 44) said that nothing can undo the injustice of knowing that a sworn police officer killed an African American man.
“We all saw the horrible video of Derek Chauvin holding his knee against George Floyd’s throat for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while he could no longer breathe,” said the congresswoman. “There was no justification for kneeling over George Floyd until his death. His life mattered. ”
To make a change to these events, Barragán said that in March he joined colleagues and the congressional black caucus to advocate for the“ George Floyd Justice in Policing Act ”.
This measure calls for a structural change to combat the pattern of police brutality and racial injustice .
Some of the items include; prohibit federal, state and local law enforcement agencies from profiling racial, religious and discriminatory, and require training on racial, religious and discriminatory profiling.
Eliminate the doctrine of qualified immunity that is a barrier to holding police officers accountable for unlawful conduct; establish a National Police Misconduct Registry to improve transparency and prevent problematic officers who are fired or leave an agency from moving to another jurisdiction without any responsibility.
It also requires collection of data, including mandatory body cameras, dash cameras, and establishing new standards for surveillance and public safety innovation grants for community organizations to help reimagine surveillance in their communities.
The congresswoman said that now the Senate must act.
“We need to carry out the critical reforms necessary to address systemic racism and police misconduct while increasing transparency,” Barragán asserted.