Locals React To Chauvin Verdict

April 21, 2021

Local officials are reacting to the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin Trial in Minnesota. Vice Mayor Jackie Elward, the first Black woman ever elected to the Rohnert Park City Council, told the Press Democrat she felt hope with the decision and that it has “shown our children of color that they do matter.” Congressman Jared Huffman spoke on KSRO’s the Drive and said he hopes this is a turning point in holding police accountable.

“We still got to pass some legislation to change some of these doctrines, qualified immunity and other things,” said Huffman. “This verdict, I believe, is going to be seen as part of a historic turning point.”

On Twitter, State Senator Mike McGuire called the verdict “swift and just” but also added it “doesn’t take away the injustice and pain so many have experienced over the years.”

As for others in the Bay Area, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said yesterday that while the verdict will not bring back the life of George Floyd, it does reflect a turning tide in the country. Political Scientist from the University of San Francisco James Lance Taylor says the system worked this time around but more reform around the police is needed.

“I think we have to figure out ways of law enforcement community partnerships around the country,” said Taylor. “We’ve been trying a long time in these efforts and I think we have to continue to press until they show the result we want.”


Source: KSRO