Elected leaders react to Chauvin verdict
YUMA, Ariz.(KYMA, KECY) - The Desert Southwest's elected leaders spoke out Tuesday afternoon in support of the verdict in the trial of former officer Derek Chauvin.
A jury found Chauvin guilty of both murder and manslaughter connection with the death of George Floyd. Floyd died last May after the former officer kneeled on his neck for more than nine-minutes. His death sparked a nationwide social justice movement.
Gov. Doug Ducey, (R-Ariz.), called for peace and respect in the wake of the verdict.
Last May, we all watched in horror as we witnessed a video documenting the death of George Floyd. 1/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) April 20, 2021
Today’s decision by the jury in Minneapolis brings justice in the death of George Floyd, but across the country & across our state we must remain committed to ensuring something like this never happens again. I ask all Arizonans to react to the news peacefully & respectfully. 2/2
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) April 20, 2021
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, (D-Ariz.), applauded the jury's decision, but highlighted the need for further criminal justice reform.
After so many miscarriages of justice in the aftermath of police killings, today’s guilty verdict was a long-awaited step in the right direction to holding officers accountable.
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) April 20, 2021
Nothing can bring George Floyd back, but I hope this provides some comfort to his grieving family.
We must continue to ensure the movement George Floyd's death inspired lives on in real, long-lasting transformations to policing and reforms to our criminal justice system.
— Raul M. Grijalva (@RepRaulGrijalva) April 20, 2021
Chauvin was held accountable today, but the fight for justice continues.
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, (D-Ariz.), said her thoughts were with George Floyd's family.
— Kyrsten Sinema (@SenatorSinema) April 20, 2021
Rep. Juan Vargas, (D-Calif.), who represents Imperial County in Congress said the verdict delivered justice:
Justice has been served. George Floyd was clearly murdered and the jury held his murderer responsible for his actions today.
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) April 20, 2021
We in Congress passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and now we have to force the Senate to pass it and get President Biden to sign it into law so we can reform policing in America.
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) April 20, 2021
Neither Rep. Paul Gosar, (R-Ariz.), nor Sen. Mark Kelly, (D-Ariz.), had issued a statement on the Chauvin as of the last updating of this article.
