Verdict Reached In Chauvin Trial: Washington Reacts

WASHINGTON — Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of killing George Floyd.

Floyd, a Black Minneapolis man, was killed on Memorial Day 2020. Video of the incident shows Chauvin, who is white, as he kneels on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes despite Floyd's protests that he could not breathe.

Floyd's death sparked massive protests across the country — including many in Washington — demanding racial justice and police reform.

Tuesday afternoon, a racially-diverse Hennepin County jury found Chauvin guilty on all counts, including both third and second-degree murder.

Now, lawmakers and activists from across Washington are weighing in.

Gov. Jay Inslee issued a sweeping statement, which captured a sentiment shared by many others: that, while the verdict represents justice for Floyd's family, much more work remains to be done if America is going to address structural racism.

"This was more than the death of one person," said Inslee. "It was a trauma for George Floyd’s family, his children, the bystanders and indeed the entire nation. Weary families in so many communities, traumatized from images of brutality against Black and Brown and feeling no power to stop it, can take heart today that justice was served in this instance. Yet, there is still much work to do. This is one step on a long journey we are just beginning."

"Today is a day for all to recommit themselves to a more perfect union, in their communities and in our nation. Let this be the beginning of progress rather than the end of one trial. Today’s sense of relief for some is fleeting. They know more must be done to prevent this from happening again and again. Too many live with this uncertainty. We must end systemic racism."

One of the first reactions came from Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers, who also said the verdict would not bring Floyd back, but could become the spark for greater reforms.

"The fact that a jury found George Floyd’s murderer guilty doesn’t lessen the crime nor diminish the many other criminal acts that have never been accounted for in our justice system," Somers said. "However, this verdict should motive us all to work on making our justice system fairer, particularly for members of Black and African American communities, and building a community where no one can commit murder with impunity."

On Twitter, Washington Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah called the verdict necessary, but not sufficient.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan made reference to the video of Floyd's death, saying the guilty verdict "confirmed what we saw with our own eyes."

"George Floyd was murdered and Derek Chauvin violated his most solemn duty to protect lives and uphold the law," Durkan said. "The cruel and degrading murder of Mr. Floyd shook our nation but for too many Black Americans, his murder reflected an all too often reality of the deep and systemic impacts of racism in our country. "

The Seattle Community Police Commission (CPC) notes that, since Floyd's death, nearly 1,000 people have been killed by police across America, including two in Seattle. The CPC is asking Seattle's elected leaders to take this opportunity to push for further police reform.

"We cannot continue to wait for harm to be inflicted on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities to remind us that now is the time for action," the commission wrote. "To the Seattle Police Department and our elected leaders, our message is simple: do not just listen to community, act on their demands."

To the south, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and City Manager Elizabeth Pauli issued a joint statement on the verdict, reading in part:

"While the trial of Derek Chauvin comes to a close, we recognize that this historic moment alone does not lift the tension and weight that currently rest on our city or our country. As we reflect on today’s national news, we also acknowledge the continued local impacts of ongoing investigations – including the one into the death of Manuel Ellis – right here in Tacoma."

Manuel Ellis, a Black Tacoma man, was killed while being restrained by police. His death last year has drawn frequent comparisons with Floyd's in part because, like Floyd, video of his arrest shows Ellis telling officers he cannot breathe before he chokes to death.

Shortly before Chauvin's verdict was announced, the ACLU of Washington tweeted a statement saying, regardless of the outcome, Floyd's death was an injustice.

Nearby at the King County courthouse, protesters who had gathered in advance of the verdict could be heard celebrating when the news of Chauvin's conviction was announced.

The City of Seattle has announced a citywide prayer and moment of silence at 7 p.m. to honor Floyd's memory. Though they say no permitted events have been set up to remember Floyd, mourners are invited to gather at the city's largest parks, which will be open for demonstration.

However, the Seattle Police Department has been put on standby, and the city is reminding businesses to take precautions should there be any large demonstrations like there were last year.

Related: Judge Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty On All Counts

This is a breaking news story, check back on this page for future updates.