Advancement Project Welcomes Chauvin Verdict, Implores America to Move Beyond Policing
CONTACT
Alex Jordan
ajordan@advancementproject.org
404-558-3581
WASHINGTON – Today, in response to the conviction of Derek Chauvin for second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, leaders from the Advancement Project National Office—a multi-racial civil rights organization—issued the following statements:
“We welcome today’s verdict in the hopes that it might bring a modicum of peace and healing to George Floyd’s family and friends, who have suffered irreparable harm and loss at the hands of Derek Chauvin and the Minneapolis Police Department,” said Judith Browne Dianis, Executive Director of the Advancement Project, National Office. “George Floyd’s murder spurred the largest uprising for racial justice in our nation’s history. Today’s verdict—the rare occasion in which a police officer is held accountable for policing’s inherent violence —would not have happened without the organizers in Minneapolis and beyond who ensured that the nation and the world could not turn away from this act of brutal, racist police violence. Chauvin has been held accountable, and we must continue to hold the system of policing accountable as well.”
“While we continue to advocate for holding cops accountable for their violence, we must also recognize that criminal convictions are not justice,” said Thomas B. Harvey, Director of Advancement Project’s Justice Project. “In fact, our criminal legal system is fundamentally incapable of producing justice; instead, it creates cycles of violence, incarceration, and abuse that trap and terrorize Black and Brown communities.”
“Justice would be no more cops killing Black, Brown and poor people, no more prisons and jails robbing our brothers and sisters of their freedom and safety, and no more corporations profiting from our nation’s desire to punish and control the most vulnerable among us,” continued Harvey. “A conviction in criminal court—let alone one of a ‘rogue cop’ who was obviously sacrificed in order to preserve the legitimacy of policing—does not bring justice; this was made all the more clear last week when Daunte Wright was murdered by a cop a few miles away from where Derek Chauvin was standing trial.”
“Last summer, more than 20 million people across the country went to the streets to protest policing’s racism and violence and to call for justice for George Floyd; today, it is imperative that we recognize that this fight has not ended, it has only just begun,” said Dianis. “To win real and lasting justice, we must now train our focus on transforming the entire criminal legal system and moving beyond policing. Advancement Project National Office is dedicated to continuing to work alongside organizers and activists nationwide to build a future where all people can be free and safe from harm.”
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Advancement Project National Office is a next-generation, multi-racial civil rights organization. Rooted in the great human rights struggles for equality and justice, we exist to fulfill America’s promise of a caring, inclusive and just democracy. We use innovative tools and strategies to strengthen social movements and achieve high impact policy change. Visit www.advancementproject.org/home to learn more.
