Leaders across U.S. weigh in on guilty verdict

“For a moment, our nation can breathe. But our work is not done. Police brutality stems from a system deeply rooted in racism. We must take steps to change the system once and for all.”

Martin Luther King III

“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. ... 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.”

Former President Barack Obama

“Today, inside a courthouse in Minneapolis, our nation saw legal justice served. While this verdict can never fully bring solace to the loved ones of George Floyd, it is a start in their healing and that of the entire Black community that continues to grieve his loss and countless others at the hands of senseless brutality. Last summer, the Hawks made a commitment to stand against racism and injustice and to continue denouncing the broken systems that contributed to this moment. We remain committed to being a part of the solution and using our platform to move us toward a more accepting, anti-racist society.”

Atlanta Hawks

“We are pleased that justice appears to have been served. But we also recognize that there is much work to be done, and the National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Players Association, together with our newly formed Social Justice Coalition, will redouble our efforts to advocate for meaningful change in the areas of criminal justice and policing.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts

“While this verdict represents a step toward justice, we are reminded that justice is too often not the outcome for people of color . ... We stand with all those who have felt the deep impact of George Floyd’s death.”

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert

“There is no question in my mind that the jury reached the right verdict. While this outcome should give us renewed confidence in the integrity of our justice system, we know there is more work to be done to ensure the bad apples do not define all officers — the vast majority of whom put on the uniform each day with integrity and servant hearts.”

Sen. Tim Scott of

South Carolina, the chamber’s only Black Republican

“There is no jury verdict that could possibly construct or suture the internal void that Gianna will continue to carry for the rest of her life, however when she stated that her daddy changed the world, this verdict will serve as a pointed and remarkable source for her to relish and find that her daddy did in fact change the world.”

Daniel R. Meachum, attorney for Roxie Washington, the mother of Floyd’s only child, Gianna Floyd