Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, who chaired the Ferguson Commission following the murder of Michael Brown, and currently serves as President of the Children’s Defense Fund, weighs in on the conviction of George Floyd’s murderer.
WASHINGTON, DC – With the whole world watching, the American judicial system convicted Derek Chauvin, the former police officer who murdered George Floyd almost one year ago by kneeling on his neck for more than eight minutes. Following the conviction, Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, CEO and President of the Children’s Defense Fund, issued the following statement:
“After the weeks of testimony and attorneys trying to put the victim on trial and a year of uprisings for justice for George Floyd and so many others, a decision has been made. Finally today, one police officer, Derek Chauvin, was held accountable for choking the life out of a father crying out for his mother. But tomorrow, George Floyd’s young daughter, Gianna, will still wonder if she can trust people sworn to protect her. Her family, friends and neighbors will still face the day in risk of being gunned down because they are going for a jog, picking something up from the store, or hanging air freshener in their car.
“To be clear, today’s verdict does not constitute justice. Justice would require George Floyd’s return to be able to embrace his child. This jury offered accountability and a sign that transformation of the systems built for justice is possible if we don’t relent. We’ve seen officer after officer walk free after taking our lives. We’ve heard their excuses accepted and the motives of innocent victims – our fallen brothers and sisters – questioned. As if breathing while Black is reason enough for our death.
“We will continue to gather in the coming days. Not to celebrate a verdict, but to mourn the loss of George Floyd. We grieve the need to pass this way. With the killing of Daunte Wright nearby and thirteen-year-old Adam Toledo cut down in Chicago, we know we will be here again. But, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. We gather in power. We love and support one another. We will reimagine public safety in our communities, so our children can play and thrive.
Today we mourn. Tonight we dream. Tomorrow, we continue the fight.”
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