The unanimous decision by the jury is being viewed as a sign of progress by many allies and activists alike around the Sunshine State. Community leaders, organizers and activists all spoke out immediately following the reading of the verdict with their initial thoughts. "We can taste justice in America today," said Sarasota activist, mother and Black Lives Matter Manasota board member Sarah Parker. She called the verdict a "small victory in a very long battle" for racial and social justice. "Having justice served in a system that we have little or no faith in, it is surprising," Parker explained. "This conviction does remind us why we are in this fight. As a Black woman, with children, sometimes we need that refresher, these moments, to remind us why we're doing this."