A Measure of Justice for George Floyd

April 20, 2021

While we can never bring George Floyd back, we are grateful that the criminal justice system has delivered some measure of justice for George Floyd and his family and friends with its verdict to convict former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. We have all anxiously awaited the verdict, knowing that people across the country and the world are also watching to see how our justice system would respond.

We will continue to grieve the loss of George Floyd, as well as Daunte Wright, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile and too many others, and we will continue to work toward healing in our community.

But we can never forget. The killings of unarmed Black people must stop. We must work to ensure police accountability and fair policing for all our citizens. Our country carries a painful legacy of racism that has marginalized and dehumanized Black people and other people of color. We can’t stop fighting against racism in all its manifestations, whether in policing, criminal justice or other aspects of life such as housing, employment and health care. The actions we take to fight racism and build equity honors the memory of those we’ve lost.

We believe in justice. We believe in dignity for all. We seek a world of equity and human decency. And we will continue to work for racial justice until our vision is realized – racism and injustice are rooted out, institutions are transformed and all people have the opportunity to thrive.

In peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all,

YWCA Minneapolis and YWCA St. Paul