Former Minneapolis police officer’s conviction in the murder of George Floyd must lead to meaningful policing reform

SAN DIEGO, CA — Today, following the meticulous and arduous trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the killing of 46-year-old Minneapolis resident George Floyd, the jury has reached a verdict. The jury has found Derek Chauvin to be guilty of all counts including murder. Chauvin’s trial marks a landmark case on police brutality and excessive use of force, the impacts of which will be felt for decades to come. 

George Floyd – a father, grandfather, musician and mentor in his community – was killed by officer Derek Chauvin in May of 2020. His death led to a reckoning on racial justice in America, and across the globe, which continues today. Over the last year, people have taken to the streets to express their anguish, frustration and fear around police brutality, anti-Blackness, inequity and the fact that another Black person’s life was taken by police violence.

Despite today’s verdict, the problem of excessive use of force within law enforcement will not simply go away. The system of policing is failing people of color throughout the country daily — meaningful reform must happen now to avoid yet another life being unnecessarily lost to police brutality. 

Christopher Rice-Wilson, associate director of Alliance San Diego, said:

“Today, and every day, we mourn the unnecessary and horrific loss of life due to police brutality. The jury’s verdict today is not only a condemnation of Derek Chauvin, but of the policing system in America. George Floyd’s murder did not need to happen and unfortunately will not be the last unnecessary death at the hands of police. There are so many things that need to change about this country, especially in regards to the treatment of BIPOC (Black Indigenous People of Color) communities by police and how we serve and protect these communities. We need to understand that policing has racism built into and has always been a part of the system of oppression— which disproportionately targets Black people.  For too long people of color have suffered under the racist culture of violence and impunity present in police departments across the country. 

We must use this moment to make deep and meaningful structural reform now. Or we will be right back in this moment again and again and again. We can’t allow our children, or their children, to grow up in a world where they will be targets of a cruel and unforgiving system, where skin color is treated as a curse. 

Alliance San Diego is committed to working towards accountability and prevention  at the local, state and national levels, to ensure that not one more life is taken by law enforcement brutality and excessive use of force.”

About Alliance San Diego

Alliance San Diego is a non-profit, non-partisan 501(c)(3) community empowerment organization working to ensure that all people can achieve their full potential in an environment of harmony, safety, equality, and justice. Our mission is to provide a means for diverse individuals and organizations to share information, collaborate on issues and mobilize for change in the pursuit of social justice, especially in low-income communities and communities of color. We pursue this mission through targeted civic engagement programs and strategic coalitions that focus on specific issues and policy reforms.

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