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Chauvin will be held without bail until his sentencing in two months.

Last year, former police officer Derek Chauvin killed Minneapolis, Minnesota resident George Floyd by forcefully kneeling on his neck for an extended period of time. This incident sparked a wave of protests against police brutality and racial discrimination that have been running ever since. Yesterday, after an extremely lengthy legal procedure, Chauvin was proclaimed guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter by the jury.


“Painfully earned justice has arrived for George Floyd’s family and the community here in Minneapolis, but today’s verdict goes far beyond this city and has significant implications for the country and even the world,” said Ben Crump, attorney to Floyd’s family. “This case is a turning point in American history for accountability of law enforcement and sends a clear message we hope is heard clearly in every city and every state.”

Multiple major lawmakers spoke out in support of the verdict. “Today’s verdict is a step forward,” President Joe Biden said, adding. “Nothing can ever bring their brother, their father back — but this can be a giant step forward in the march toward justice in America.”

According to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, the verdict “serves as an official proclamation of what so many of us have known for nearly a year: George Floyd was murdered by an officer who was sworn to protect and serve.”

“We should not mistake a guilty verdict in this case as evidence that the persistent problem of police misconduct has been solved or that the divide between law enforcement and so many of the communities they serve has been bridged,” Schumer said. “We must remain diligent in our efforts to bring meaningful change to police departments across the country. The Senate will continue that work as we strive to ensure George Floyd’s tragic death will not be in vain.”