Racism is being crushed: Stars
United States celebrities continued to flood social media with reaction to the news of Derek Chauvin being found guilty on all three charges of murder and manslaughter in death of George Floyd on Tuesday.
South African celebs, including Generations: The Legacy star Manaka Ranaka, TV personality Ayanda Thabethe and sports broadcaster Robert Marawa, have also welcomed the news that former US police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of killing Floyd.
After initial reactions from Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, Mariah Carey and many more just seconds after the jury in Minneapolis returned its verdict after 10 and a half hours of deliberation, support continued to flood in hours later from stars, including Kelly Rowland, 40, Thandiwe Newton, 48, and Jessica Alba, 39.
Kelly shared a duo of images of George – one showing him much younger and carrying his daughter and another of a widely shared painting — alongside a caption about the importance of the victory.
Thandiwe then took to Twitter to pen: “Rest in Peace #GeorgeFloyd Your murderer is going down, and Racism is being crushed. This isn’t the end, or the beginning, but the NOW is changing — people are waking up — and your name marks the moment. No going back folded hands.”
Chauvin, 45, was found guilty of seconddegree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, and now faces 75 years in prison.
As the verdict was read out, Chauvin looked on silently in the Hennepin County courtroom where jurors spent three weeks listening to testimony about the day Floyd died under the weight of the 45-year-old cop’s knee during an arrest on May 25, 2020.
Cheers rose from the crowds that had gathered outside the courthouse and down at the intersection of 38th and Chicago now known as George Floyd Square.
When news first arose, Kelly shared a shot of her TV screen as she watched CNN coverage of the trial, writing: “And justice is served!” while she later posted another duo of images with an accompanying caption reading: “George Floyd, we love you! I, like so many of you, have so many emotions since the verdict (that didn’t need to take for F**KIN G ever!!!!!!!!!)
“But, it makes it a bit hard to completely celebrate, because just today, after that murderer was found guilty, another Black Life was taken. It’s been so many (lives taken it seems), since the trial began!
“The way we came out to vote, is the way we have to move pressing forward! The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act should be passed in every state, in every city, in every town, in this country!
“Let’s be just as focused on this Act, as we were with our New Administration! And hold this Administration accountable of all they said they wanted to change in this country. ‘We The People’, need to stay the course, the course of REAL change in this Country.”
Thandiwe Newton, who until recently used the moniker Thandie Newton, shared her impassioned message while Jessica shared the painted image of George and simply penned: “Rest In Peace.”
South African sports broadcaster Marawa celebrated the decision, claiming the man everyone had seen was guilty had finally been convicted.
Reacting to the news, shared by South African opposition EFF MP Mbuyseni Ndlozi on social media, Ranaka sent fist emojis in a nod to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement that has been advocating for justice to be served in the case.
Gospel singer Dumi Mkokstad praised the verdict, simply exclaiming “Thank you”.
Ayanda said the trial was traumatic, but she was glad justice had finally been served.
When news first erupted, Scandal actress Washington, 44, tweeted: “A guilty #verdict. But this fight for justice is not over. We have a lot of work to do. There is more fight ahead of us. But right now please take care of yourself. And let’s take care of each other. Prayers and love to the family of #GeorgeFloyd.”
The View host Goldberg, 65, told her followers: “Guilty Guilty Guilty... No one wins. George Floyd is still gone ... and finally someone was responsible ... Derek Chauvin.”
Goldberg’s Republican co-host Meghan McCain simply tweeted: “May justice heal our nation.”
Former US president Barack Obama tweeted: “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.”
Oprah Winfrey took to Instagram with an older picture of Floyd donning a tuxedo, expressing her relief after the verdict was read.
“Relieved — and emotional in ways I didn’t expect,” she said. “I cried tears of joy as each verdict was read. I’m grateful to the witnesses and their testimonies. Grateful to every Juror for seeing and acknowledging what the world saw on that tape. Thank you God for real!”
Mariah Carey also shared the same graphic, adding to her Instagram Stories: “Thank you because we need this. Sending love and prayers to the Floyd family. This is a day that will never be forgotten ... Believing something good will come out of this tragedy ... it’s a start. Praise the Lord!”
Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx posted his reaction to the verdict, which he called a “bittersweet moment” in a response on Instagram.
“I am happy and relieved that the person that did this horrendous thing to you and your family was found guilty,” Foxx began his post. “The bitter is that we cannot bring you back … The bitter is all of the lives that were affected by what happened to you … all the tears that have been shed ... and hearts broken ...”
George died after he was restrained by Chauvin during his arrest last year. Floyd was accused of using a fake US$20 bill to buy cigarettes at a grocery store.
In the confrontation captured on video, Chauvin pushed his knee into the neck of Floyd for more than nine minutes. — Mail Online/TshisaLIVE.