Chicago Urban League President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson issued the following statement in reaction to the guilty verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin:
Today, many Americans collectively breathed a sigh of relief. For Black Americans, there was also a glimpse of justice against the backdrop of lives snuffed out at the hands of law enforcement. With this verdict, rendered by an impartial jury who have listened to the evidence, we hope that we are one step closer to accountability for all who fail to value Black lives.
While systemic change must occur for a full measure of justice, we will all sleep better knowing that the deeds of Derek Chauvin were on trial and not the life of George Floyd. May the spirit of George Floyd, along with each of his family members, rest easier tonight knowing that—in this one instance—justice was served.
