LGBTQ organizations and San Francisco officials reacted Tuesday to the trio of guilty verdicts in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.
A Minneapolis jury on April 20 convicted Chauvin of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd last May 25.
Equality California, the state s LGBTQ rights organization, released a statement from Executive Director Rick Chavez Zbur and Executive Director-designate Tony Hoang. George Floyd s life matters. Breonna Taylor s life matters. Jaida Peterson s life matters. Emmett Till s life matters. Black lives matter, the men stated. Derek Chauvin s knee was on George Floyd s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, they added. He stole George Floyd s life and his future from him, from his family, from his community and from the world.
Dontarius Long and
Joel Brewer, were each charged with two counts of murder and two counts of weapons possession, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit a robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Charlotte Police Lt.
Bryan Crum said Friday (April 16) their investigation so far led them to believe all involved in the women’s deaths had been caught. The FBI is also reportedly working with the department to determine if hate crime charges can be brought against the men.
“I can tell you that our investigation has advanced to the point that I feel confident in telling you there is no one else at large that was a part of this,” Crum said. He added later, “If hate crime charges are appropriate, we will absolutely pursue those.”
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Executive Director Rick Chavez Zbur and
Executive Director-designate Tony Hoang:
Executive Director-designate Tony Hoang: “George Floyd’s life matters. Breonna Taylor’s life matters. Jaida Peterson’s life matters. Emmett Till’s life matters. Black lives matter. “Derek Chauvin’s knee was on George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds. He stole George Floyd’s life and his future from him, from his family, from his community and from the world. “Today’s verdict delivered some amount of justice and brought some relief. But nothing can bring George Floyd back to his daughter Gianna, his brothers Philonise and Terrence, his girlfriend Courteney and to everyone who knew and loved him. We all have a role to play in ending police violence and combating racism. We all have a responsibility to stand up for racial equity and justice. This is everyone’s fight, and none of us can afford to sit on the sidelines.