Actors, directors and athletes reacted with a sense of relief, and reminded fans to continue pushing for social justice after a jury on Tuesday found former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts for killing George Floyd.
“The past year following George Floyd’s death has been extremely painful for the Minnesota community, particularly for the State’s Black residents,” the Minnesota Vikings said in a statement on Twitter. “While today’s decision does not minimize the anguish or solve the intolerable issues of racism and hate, we hope it can mark the beginning of community healing.”
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 20, 2021
Filmmaker Ava Duvernay simply tweeted: “3!” along with a pounding fist emoji, in reference to the three counts Chauvin was found guilty of.
In a follow-up post, she dedicated tonight’s season finale of her OWN series, Queen Sugar, to the family of George Floyd. “’Onward’ is the title of tonight’s finale episode for #QueenSugar Season 5… Onward for George Floyd’s family and loved ones. Onward for all of us,” she wrote on Twitter.
Related Story: Derek Chauvin Guilty on All Counts for George Floyd’s Murder
Shonda Rhimes tweeted: “This verdict does not bring back Mr Floyd. But justice is truth.”
LeBron James tweeted: “Accountability.”
Civil rights champion and attorney to George Floyd’s family, Ben Crump, tweeted several times after the guilty verdict was announced.
In one of the tweets, Crump was shown in a video raising his fist and saying: “Today history was made. We are finally starting to as a country live up to the promise of equal justice under the law, for all people. And we don’t take this lightly—it was sacrificial blood that made this moment possible for history in America.”
“So let us all rejoice for this moment but know that we still have work to do. The George Floyd Justice and Policing Accountability Act must be passed so we can get justice for all our brothers and sisters and we can prevent some of these unjustifiable killings by the people who are supposed to protect and serve us,” he continued.
GUILTY!
Attorney Crump reacts following the verdict! pic.twitter.com/5uBhXsnJXi
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) April 20, 2021
Meanwhile, Kerry Washington tweeted: “A guilty #verdict. But this fight for justice is not over. We have a lot of work to do. There is more fight ahead of us. But RIGHT NOW please take CARE of yourself. And let’s take care of each other. Prayers and love to the family of #GeorgeFloyd.”
Viola Davis added an image of a painting of George Floyd: “GUILTY!!!! As it should be!! Now…Rest In Peace George Floyd. Rest. You and your family have been vindicated.#SayHisName”
Insecure cast member and Black Lives Matter activist Kendrick Sampson reminded his followers that there is still a long road ahead.
“Chauvin’s conviction is a huge moment — a necessary step toward validation & healing for his loved ones & movement but it’s not justice. And he still needs to be sentenced. Reminder: Chauvin is far from the only guilty 1 – he’s not the only person who lynched George Floyd,” Sampson tweeted.
Related Story: Pat Robertson (Surprisingly) Calls for Justice for Daunte Wright and George Floyd
The jury convicted Chauvin, 45, on all three counts — second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
CNN reports jurors deliberated for more than 10 hours over the course of two days to reach their decision.
Chauvin was recorded on May 25, 2020, kneeling on Floyd’s neck for about nine minutes as the Black man pleaded that he couldn’t breathe.
Floyd was arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill at a grocery store. He was handcuffed and lying on his stomach, when Chauvin — who is White — pressed a knee into his neck. The officer refused to budge even as Floyd’s body went limp and bystanders pleaded with him to stop.
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