By Tina Ranjbar and Lola Irelewuyi
Many of us are aware of the tragic events that occurred on May 25, 2020. On this day, Minneapolis officers arrested and pinned George Floyd to the ground for allegedly passing a counterfeit $20 bill. Floyd’s airflow was soon cut off by Derek Chauvin, one of the officers at the scene, and he died of asphyxia after being held in a knee-on-neck hold position for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. This event sparked a flood of protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement to combat police brutality, misconduct, and systemic racism. And although the Minneapolis Police Department fired every officer involved in Floyd’s death, justice hadn’t been entirely served.
However, on April 20, 2021, a 12-member jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. He was convicted of three charges: second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter, and will face a maximum of 75 years in prison.
Though the results of the trial have delivered justice to the death of George Floyd, know that this isn’t the end. This is merely one step towards police reform and achieving a righteous criminal justice system.
Titan Times 