After Derek Chauvin was convicted for the murder of George Floyd, State Legislators expressed their thoughts on the verdict, the justice system and change that needs to happen.
State Sen. Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) said Tuesday’s conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd was “not justice, but accountability.”
Williams was one of several Pennsylvania legislators to comment on the conviction on social media.
On Tuesday, the former police officer was found guilty on three charges for the May 2020 murder of George Floyd. Chauvin had knelt on the Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes as Floyd, who was Black, gasped for breath. The tragedy sparked months of protest across the United States, as well as around the globe.
Chauvin will remain at Minnesota Correctional Facility-Oak Park Heights, a maximum security prison, for eight weeks until sentencing. The maximum sentence is up to 40 years.
“Justice” and “accountability” were two of the most prevalent words in many legislators’ statements.
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) said it was “The closest thing to justice we could get.”
For some state representatives, it was a moment the justice system had prevailed.
For others, accountability was crucial.
State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-Montgomery) talked about standing together.
Legislators agreed that change is needed.
State Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) talked about moving forward.
State Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny) called for restoration and reparations.
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