Minneapolis was the scene of much jubilation yesterday after an anxious wait to hear the fate of former policeman, Derek Chauvin, accused of killing Geroge Floyd on May 25th, 2020. After just ten hours of deliberation, the jury delivered their verdict of guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Chauvin’s trial began in early March, more than nine months after he killed Floyd, it was streamed live on television for all to see. His killing led to the worldwide Black Lives Matter protests and ignited a move within America to stop systemic racism in its tracks.
Oprah Winfrey, Viola Davis Jada Pinkett Smith, and Shonda Rhimes were some of the powerful stars who expressed their jubilation after Chauvin was found guilty on all counts.
Oprah Winfrey said, “I cried tears of joy as each verdict was read. I’m grateful to the witnesses and their testimonies. Grateful to Darnella Frazier. Grateful to every juror for seeing and acknowledging what the world saw on that tape. Thank you God for real!”
Darnella Frazier was the young woman who filmed the murder of George Floyd, a video that went viral, and was instrumental in seeing that justice was served.
#GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/HKeNlthckW
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 20, 2021
“This verdict does not bring back Mr. Floyd, but justice is truth,” wrote Shonda Rhimes.
Viola Davis wished for Floyd to now “rest in peace.”
GUILTY!!!! As it should be!! Now....Rest In Peace George Floyd. Rest. You and your family have been vindicated. ?????????? #SayHisName
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) April 20, 2021
????@4NIKKOLAS pic.twitter.com/DgVFG7UVPF
This landmark trial and conviction is the beginning of a new era in the history of the USA, an era that has the complete support of the Biden administration. The place where George Floyd met his untimely death has been renamed George Floyd Square, it is now an occupation protest and memorial site at the intersection of East 38th Street and Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
