The Rising Majority on Derek Chauvin Trial

(Minneapolis) – Derek Chauvin, the police officer who murdered George Floyd on May 25th, 2020,  was found guilty by a jury of all charges. 

George Floyd should still be alive today. Right now George Floyd should be finishing up work, contemplating what’s for dinner, and experiencing joy with his family. However, at the hands of police officer Derek Chauvin, and sanctioned by the state, he is not here.

While Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict feels like relief, we as the Rising Majority stand firm that it is not the epitome of accountability and transformation. The truth is that as long as the police exist we will continue to live in fear, we will continue to see our families murdered, and we will continue to feel rage and anxiety while witnessing a trial for a murder that everyone saw. This is no more evidenced by the recent murders of 13 year old Adam Toledo, 20 year old Daunte Wright, and those whose names we don’t even know. 

Our people deserve more. Our families deserve to come home every night safely.

In order to get there, we need serious intervention to end policing as we know it. In fact, this verdict is not the result of the Minneapolis criminal legal system suddenly finding a moral compass even though that is how the media will attempt to frame it. We know that this moment will be used as an excuse to bolster police budgets  and false solutions like “bias” training going forward which will inevitably lead to more violence on the ground for our communities.The verdict is not even outside of white supremacy and neoliberalism attempting to adapt and protect itself against our continued resistance.

This verdict is a byproduct of sustained mass protest and organizing led by the families of murdered loved ones and Black formations like Black Visions Collective and Movement For Black Lives, whose work will manifest the transformed world we deserve.

We feel further compelled in this moment to take a second, catch our breath, cry and dance, and prepare to take continued action #InDefenseOfBlackLives to ensure that no more of our family members are harmed by state violence. 

We invite you to join us in this fight for a transformed community free from police violence. To be a part of the fight, join the rising majority by texting Majority to 90975. 

To learn more text 90975 to Majority.

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