Western States Center Responds to Chauvin Verdict

Eric Ward, Executive Director of Western States Center, issued the following statement in response to the jury’s verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd:

We welcome today’s verdict and know that holding one officer responsible is not the same as holding an institution, or a system, accountable. George Floyd’s friends, family and neighbors are in our thoughts right now, and we hope the verdict brings some comfort to them.

Today’s verdict must be the first step toward accountability, not the last. A functioning and inclusive democracy requires systemic accountability that not only holds individual law enforcement officers accountable, but also those who supervise, train and employ them.

Systemic racism was also on trial today, and it will continue to serve as both a barrier to justice and opportunity as well as a beacon to white nationalist political violence. George Floyd’s murder unleashed an historic, world-spanning grassroots campaign for justice. His memory must propel us to continue that fight to uproot systemic racism for good.”

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MEDIA CONTACT

Drew Courtney press@wscpdx.org

Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center works nationwide to strengthen inclusive democracy through building movement, developing leaders, shifting culture, and defending democracy.