Ex-cop Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all three charges in the murder of George Floyd today (April 20).
Former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama released a statement amid the groundbreaking news. Barrack said the jury did the “right thing.” He also mentioned this is a step toward real justice, but it won’t be fully reached until society admits that Black Americans are treated differently. The “forever president” reminds people that we STILL can not rest. He said,
“For almost a year, George Floyd’s death under the knee of a police officer has reverberated around the world — inspiring murals and marches, sparking conversations in living rooms and new legislation. But a more basic question has always remained: would justice be done? In this case, at least, we have our answer. But if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that true justice is about much more than a single verdict in a single trial.” It continues,
“True justice requires that we come to terms with the fact that Black Americans are treated differently, every day. It requires us to recognize that millions of our friends, family, and fellow citizens live in fear that their next encounter with law enforcement could be their last. And it requires us to do the sometimes thankless, often difficult, but always necessary work of making America we know more like the America we believe in.” He goes on to say,
“While today’s verdict may have been a necessary step on the road to progress, it was far from a sufficient one. We cannot rest. We will need to follow through with the concrete reforms that will reduce and ultimately eliminate racial bias in our criminal justice system. We will need to redouble efforts to expand economic opportunity for those communities that have been too long marginalized.”
Barack ended the message by thanking those, especially the youth, who’s been on the front lines protesting and marching. He said, “And as we continue the fight, we can draw strength from the millions of people — especially young people — who have marched and protested and spoken up over the last year, shining a light on inequity and calling for change. Justice is closer today not simply because of this verdict, but because of their work.”
Today, a jury did the right thing. But true justice requires much more. Michelle and I send our prayers to the Floyd family, and we stand with all those who are committed to guaranteeing every American the full measure of justice that George and so many others have been denied. pic.twitter.com/mihZQHqACV
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 20, 2021