Statement on Chauvin guilty verdict in Minneapolis

Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer charged in the death of George Floyd after pressing Mr Floyd's neck to the ground with his knee for 9 minutes and 29 seconds, has been found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter. 

Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester, released the following statement in response:

A Change has come! But, there is still work to do.

This verdict demonstrates the start of the work necessary to ensure police are held accountable.  It also demonstrates that Black Lives Matter, but there is certainly no time for celebration. The energy of this moment must be used as the catalyst to truly reform policing: We must support the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Black Lives must be valued! Sadly, our history evidences the devaluing of Black Life, from the brutal murder of Emmett Till to Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Freddie Gray, Daniel Prude, and countless others who have lost their lives due to police violence without a verdict holding their murderers accountable.