Guilty Verdict Is A Step Toward Our Collective Humanity

Decision Should Bring Systemic Changes for Policing in America

WASHINGTON – As a guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial is announced, the National Partnership for New Americans, a leading national coalition of 41 immigrant and refugee rights organizations, is encouraged by this act of accountability for the senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of the former Minneapolis police officer on May 25.

“George Floyd would be alive today if Black people in the United States enjoyed full human rights, equal justice, and due process where fairness and their dignity are respected. The National Partnership for New Americans expresses our solidarity with the family of George Floyd and countless others who have had loved ones killed because of institutional racism expressed as police brutality. While Derek Chauvin has been convicted of all of the charges against him, the violence against Black people and other communities of color, as seen in the recent police killings of Duante Wright and Adam Toledo, continues. We recognize this historic step in the right direction toward a recognition of our collective humanity, but piecemeal, moderate police reforms are not enough. We still have work to do in achieving significant disinvestments from policing and systemic changes that look beyond police in promoting true community safety.” said Nicole Melaku, executive director of NPNA.