Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements in response to a jury finding Derek Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in the killing of George Floyd.
“Nothing can bring George Floyd back to his loved ones, and justice does not stop with this guilty verdict,” said Speaker Hortman. “Our work is far from done. Minnesotans deserve safe communities and a fair justice system — no matter what we look like or where we live — and we need to continue to improve accountability in our criminal justice system. Our communities are in pain and trauma. We remain committed to the work that needs to be done to dismantle systemic racism and ensure justice and safety for all Minnesotans.”
“I hope this guilty verdict brings George Floyd’s family, friends, and loved ones a small measure of closure, but it will not bring Mr. Floyd back nor will it prevent the next killing of an unarmed, nonviolent Black Minnesotan at the hands of law enforcement,” said Majority Leader Ryan Winkler. “Only when we achieve meaningful change to policing and our criminal justice system, led by Black Minnesotans closest to this unimaginable pain and trauma, will we truly be able to say ‘Black Lives Matter’ in Minnesota. The work continues.”