Chauvin Guilty; Chicago Braced For Possible Unrest

CHICAGO— As a jury found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in George Floyd's death, the City of Chicago is braced for potential unrest, similar to what happened in Chicago and across the nation over the summer after Floyd's death and the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.

The verdict — which took about 10 hours to reach —was this afternoon.

In Chicago, more than 100 members of the Illinois National Guard were called in ahead of the anticipated verdict. Days off were cancelled for Chicago police officers, and Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a warning to potential looters: "Don't test us."

Other businesses and buildings in Chicago prepared for the verdict by closing early or issuing warnings. Loyola University Chicago's Water Tower Campus announced they would only offer "essential building services" in anticipation of unrest. The Chicago university's downtown campus was damaged and burglarized during protests last summer, according to the Loyola student newspaper.

Moments after the verdict was delivered, Lightfoot released a statement that expressed relief and gratitude for the jury. The celebratory tone is a stark contrast to her threats towards potential rioters on Monday.

"Today marks a moment where future generations can look back and see that we as a nation came together and rightfully demanded justice and accountability," said Lightfoot. "And justice was served."

• President Biden On Chauvin Trial: Praying For 'Right Verdict'

Chauvin was charged in the death of Floyd, a Black man who died after Chauvin kneeled on him for more than nine minutes despite Floyd's protests that he could not breathe. Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests demanding racial justice and police reform.

Floyd's arrest and death — captured on a bystander video — were seen across the globe.

The racially diverse jury deliberated less than a full day before coming to a decision that concluded the two-week trial, which was closely watched as a bellwether of official responses to police killings of Black people.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (IL-01), co-founder of the Illinois Black Panthers in the 1960s, called the Chauvin guilty verdict the first acknowledgment of illegal police conduct, “We still have a long way to go to ensure that every American has a guaranteed right to equal justice under the law — if America is indeed a nation built on equal justice under the law."

New Illinois Speaker of the House Chris Welch echoed how much work is left to ensure another community or family is affected by violence, " While it's important to have faith in the future of our own humanity, it should not have taken George Floyd losing his life, Gianna Floyd losing her father, for our hearts and minds to change."

• Read The Jury Instructions Given In The Derek Chauvin Trial

The verdict comes less than two weeks after another Black man's fatal interaction with police sparked unrest in the Twin Cities metro.

Former Brooklyn Center police Officer Kim Potter faces charges of second-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Daunte Wright, 20, in the Minneapolis suburb last week.

Chicago is also dealing with the aftermath of the death of Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old boy who was shot by a Chicago police officer while putting his hands up. Some protests followed the release of the video of Toledo's death.

In 2018, former Chicago Police officer Jason Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison mentioned both Laquan McDonald and Adam Toledo in a speech after the verdict, stressing the need for crime prevention programs.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.

Shannon Antinori also contributed to this report.