April, 20 2021, 12:00am EDT
Derek Chauvin Guilty On All Counts--Our Fight For Racial Justice Continues
WASHINGTON
Rashad Robinson, President of Color Of Change, issued this statement following the conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd:
"This has been a traumatic time to relive the violent murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin on the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota nearly one year ago. Our hearts go out to the Floyd family who will never see justice for their son, brother, and father. This case was about accountability, and Derek Chauvin was found guilty for his actions that resulted in the death of George Floyd. Nine minutes and 29 seconds will forever be supplanted in our hearts and memory. Now we must look at the road ahead. Our fight for racial justice continues as we fight to fundamentally alter a system that continues to threaten, harm, and kill Black people.
"So we use this moment to push for real change because the fight for accountability and justice in America is far from over. The Chauvin trial may be over, but what comes next will be the consequential moment in our history. We need to do more than raise our voices; we must demand action now. Yes 4 Minneapolis has led the charge to keep a national spotlight on racial justice and issues with policing in this country. Color Of Change is all in for the fight for justice and will continue to advocate for systemic change.
"As we demand justice and fight for the change that politicians, judges, and the police deny us, we challenge the corporations who supported the Black Lives Matter movement and spoke up for racial equity to be more than vocal in their solidarity, we need them to be an active partner in this fight. Now is the time for companies to go beyond the rhetoric and take action. When you call out injustice, ears are at attention; when you amplify our message of justice and equity, decision makers take notice; when you stop funding police and their enablers, heads turn; and when you use your power to demand systemic change, Black people will be safe in our country.
"Also, we need to hold our elected officials accountable in this moment to prioritize racial justice and addressing systemic change on the local and national level. There needs to be a focus on the lack of resources, funding, and investment in community-sponsored programs. That starts with a national effort to defund the police and prioritizing community-driven solutions."
Color Of Change is the nation's largest online racial justice organization. We help people respond effectively to injustice in the world around us. As a national online force driven by over one million members, we move decision-makers in corporations and government to create a more human and less hostile world for Black people in America.
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Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.)—a co-sponsor of Sanders' Medicare for All Act—similarly toldHuffPost in a Tuesday interview, "The visceral response from people across this country who feel cheated, ripped off, and threatened by the vile practices of their insurance companies should be a warning to everyone in the healthcare system."
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