Derek Chauvin 2 , CD3 DFL

‘Pot calling the kettle violent’: CNN host throws Cruz’s own words in his face after GOP senator feigns outrage over Maxine Waters

With the defense having rested in former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, Rep. Maxine Waters of California was asked how “justice for George Floyd” activists will response if Chauvin is found not guilty. And the congresswoman called for a vocal response if that happens, saying, “We’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to let them know that we mean business.” Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was among the far-right Republicans who claimed that Waters was advocating violence — and CNN’s John Berman called Cruz out and reminded viewers of the ways in which the Texas senator’s false claims of widespread voter fraud encouraged the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol Building.

On CNN’s “New Day,” host Berman explained, “She didn’t say what type of confrontation. Still, this is not the language that business owners in Minneapolis want to hear or that people calling for calm, including the president or the family of George Floyd (want to hear).”

But he went on to explain why Cruz is the last person who should be accusing a congresswoman of overly incendiary rhetoric. Continue reading.

Sen. John Hoffman (SD36) Update: April 21, 2021

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

On Tuesday April 20, Derek Chauvin was found guilty on the charges second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. This verdict does not come lightly, as the eyes of the world have been upon Minnesota and will continue to be.

Nothing can bring George Floyd back, but today was an important structural piece towards accountability. It is also abundantly clear that one conviction will not address the feelings of so many Minnesotans, who feel and have witnessed that the system is not working equally for everyone. We also know that over 50 percent of all use of force incidents involve a person with a disability.

Each of us have a role to play in pursuit of a more just world, and this is especially true for us at the Minnesota Legislature. We must work together to deliver the changes necessary to make sure every Minnesotan feels safe in their community. With just one month left in this legislative session, we must build on our work from last summer. We must also remember that George Floyd was someone who struggled with recovery yet found time to volunteer to be a mentor to homeless youth even taking them to see the Twins play baseball.

Hennepin County Sheriff: Statement on Chauvin Verdict

Yesterday, a jury of Derek Chauvin’s peers in Hennepin County found him guilty of murder. He was immediately taken into custody and transferred to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

While nothing can bring George Floyd back to life or fully heal the pain felt by his family, friends, and community, we hope this outcome brings at least some solace.

In no uncertain terms, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office supports the jury in their decision to convict. Those of us in law enforcement have sworn an oath to serve and protect. Most sworn law enforcement officers think seriously about this oath each and every day. Those who do not or cannot live up to these words have no place in this profession.

Derek Chauvin’s conviction is an important moment, but there is much work to be done. Every day, the men and women of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office are working hard on new initiatives to make positive change. We eagerly await having conversations with members of the community and hearing their thoughts. We look forward to a better tomorrow for everyone.

Take care of yourselves and one another,

– Sheriff David P. Hutchinson

POCI Caucus Statement on Derek Chauvin Trial Verdict

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — On Tuesday, April 20, the jury reached a guilty verdict on all charges in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd. The Minnesota People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus released the following statement:

“This is not a joyful moment. As we watched the trial and relived the desperate final moments of a man’s life and the cruelty of one who is supposed to protect, we were reminded that we do not live in a just society. The finding of guilt in the actions of an officer not only condemns the actions of that man, but our society and public safety system as a whole. While the verdict is guilty, we demand that Derek Chauvin receive the maximum sentence for his crime.

“Justice cannot stop at punishment, it must continue in everything we do to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again. We have the opportunity to create a just society, this verdict has planted the seed of justice in tenuous soil polluted by years of oppression and injustice. It is now up to us, our white colleagues, and all Minnesotans who value human life to nurture this seed so that it may grow into true justice.

“Amongst the chaos of this past year, there are two truths that will stick with us for the rest of our lives and for generations to come. The first; George Floyd should still be alive. The second; George Floyd has changed the world. How exactly the world has been changed remains in our hands. The POCI Caucus will work to create a world where Black Lives Matter, where every life is sacred, where every person feels safe and secure, and where Black, Brown, and Indigenous children can live joyfully free from the oppression of our unjust society.

“Lastly, we extend our deepest sympathies to George Floyd’s friends and family. You lost a loved one in a horrific way and your pain was displayed to the world. No one should have to go through what you did. Your courage and perseverance is an inspiration, and we will hold you in our hearts always.”

The People of Color & Indigenous (POCI) Caucus includes Reps. Esther Agbaje (59B), Jamie Becker-Finn (42B), Cedrick Frazier (45A), Aisha Gomez (62B), Hodan Hassan (Vice- Chair 62A), Kaohly Her (64A), Athena Hollins (66B), Fue Lee (59A), Carlos Mariani (65B), Rena Moran (65A), Mohamud Noor (60B), Ruth Richardson (52B), John Thompson (67A), Samantha Vang (Chair, 40B), Jay Xiong (67B), Tou Xiong (53B), and Senators Bobby Joe Champion (59), Omar Fateh (62), Melisa Franzen (49), Foung Hawj (67), Mary Kunesh (41), Patricia Torres Ray (Chair, 63). Rep. Heather Keeler signed onto this statement in solidarity.

Rep. Phillips on the Derek Chauvin Verdict

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Dean Phillips issued the following statement:

“Justice was served for George Floyd today, but America’s work, our work, to ensure justice, safety and opportunity FOR ALL will continue with even more intention, more fortitude, and more purpose. Onwards in unity.”

DFL Party Statement on the Verdict in the Chauvin Trial

SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA – Today, Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement on the results of the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin:

“I am grateful that our legal system has reached a just verdict and held George Floyd’s murderer accountable, particularly given how often it fails to deliver justice in the cases of clear police misconduct towards Black Americans. It is my sincere hope that today’s ruling is the beginning of a new paradigm wherein law enforcement is held to account when they abuse the trust and authority placed in them.

“While George Floyd’s murderer is going to jail, the fact remains that the very systems which led to this tragedy in the first place still exist. Thankfully, there was justice in the courts today, and now we need justice for George Floyd in the legislature. George Floyd should still be alive today, and until we pass serious police reform and accountability measures, the likelihood of this happening again here remains very high.

Rep. Dean Phillips (CD3): Difficult Truths

Hi Neighbors,

This week our community experienced more heartbreak, said more prayers, and saw more carnage. As we continue to grapple with the killing of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center and await a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, I believe I speak for most Americans when I say injustice must be protested, journalists, and the First Amendment must be protected, and encouraging violent confrontation must be rejected.

Let me be clear – Racial injustice is real. Protesting injustice is lawful and warranted. Criminal looting and burning destroys our communities and small businesses is wrong. We can believe all of these things at once, and I’m on a mission help our community confront difficult truths and do better together. Will you join me?

Derek Chauvin’s witnesses include former Maryland medical examiner being sued over ‘chillingly similar’ case

When the video of George Floyd gasping for air under the knee of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin emerged last year, it told a story that was painfully familiar to Anton Black’s family.

Black encountered police on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the fall of 2018, when officers responding to a call about a possible kidnapping wrestled the 19-year-old to the ground. Video footage released later showed the officers in Greensboro, Md., struggling with Black before pinning him down. Black died, and no officers were charged in his death.

Then came Floyd’s death last year, another video of a Black man being held down by police and dying. The cases, Black’s family said in a court filing, were “chillingly similar.” Now they are connected in another way: Among the experts Chauvin’s defense called this week was the former Maryland medical examiner who deemed Black’s death an accident, a determination his family pilloried in a federal lawsuit filed in December. Continue reading.

Minneapolis police chief gives dramatic testimony on Chauvin trial

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo testified Monday that former city police officer Derek Chauvin was not using the defense tactics taught by his police department with suspects resisting arrest when he pinned George Floyd to the street, placing his knee to Floyd’s neck.

“Once there was no longer any resistance, and clearly when Mr. Floyd was no longer responsive and even motionless, to continue to apply that level of force to in person, proned out, handcuffed behind their back, that in no way shape or form is anything that is by policy, is not part of our training, and it is certainly not part of our ethics,” Arrandondo said in testimony to prosecutor Steve Schleicher.

Asked if he believed that Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on Floyd’s neck for an extended period of time followed the department’s de-escalation policy, Arradondo, who like Floyd is Black, responded, “I absolutely do not.” Continue reading.

Derek Chauvin trial represents a defining moment in America’s racial history

Chauvin case to add to national racial legacy

George Floyd pleading for his life under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer has become a defining moment of our time.

What began 10 months ago at the corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue has transformed into nothing less than an American reckoning on justice, racial equity, the proper role of law enforcement and the historical wrongs society has perpetrated on Black people.

Monday morning, that moment leads to the 18th-floor courtroom of the Hennepin County Government Center, where a jury will begin to hear a murder and manslaughter case against since-fired police officer Derek Chauvin. Continue reading.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: