Justice for George Floyd
On 20 April, Derek Chauvin, a white former police officer, was found guilty of murdering George Floyd while on duty. Floyd, who was black, died on 25 May 2020 in Minneapolis, in the state of Minnesota, after he was arrested by Chauvin and three other police officers. Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck while arresting him and Floyd died.
After a three-week trial, a jury of 12 people found Chauvin guilty of three charges, including second degree murder (causing the death of a person, without intent, while committing or attempting to commit an assault). Chauvin is due to be sentenced in eight weeks. The three other officers involved are due to face trial in August.
Floyd’s death led to anti-racism protests in the
US and around the world. Racism is when people are treated badly or unfairly because of their skin colour, culture or nationality. When the verdict was announced, a crowd of several hundred people outside the court cheered. At the spot where Floyd died, which is now known as George Floyd Square, people who had gathered there cheered and applauded the news of the guilty verdict. US president Joe Biden said the verdict could be a “giant step forward” for justice. He urged US lawmakers to pass a law called the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. This aims to hold police accountable for what they do and make sure they follow the rules. Philonise Floyd, one of George Floyd’s brothers, said, “We are able to breathe again.”