OFFICE OF MAYOR MIRO WEINBERGER
149 Church Street | Burlington, VT 05401 | (802) 865-7272
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 20, 2021
Contact: Jordan Redell
802-503-7664
Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger released the following statement on the guilty verdict in Minneapolis:
“Soon after the murder of George Floyd, the great civil rights leader John Lewis compared the current movement for racial justice to the protests of the 1960s, saying the current moment “feels and looks so different. It is so much more massive and all inclusive… there will be no turning back.
“Today twelve jurors, 38 brave witnesses, George Floyd’s strong family, and skilled prosecutors delivered accountability in a Minneapolis courtroom through the conviction of Derek Chauvin on all counts. This outcome makes clear that such conduct has no place in American law enforcement.
“Today’s verdict is an indication that our efforts now are and must continue to be different than our past, grossly insufficient attempts to achieve racial justice. We need to reimagine public safety, root systemic racism out of every sector of society, and truly see and value the humanity of our Black and brown neighbors. There can be no turning back. Burlington will remain steadfast in its commitment to this historic task.
“While today’s verdict provides some sense of relief, we must also remember that our Black and brown Burlingtonians are still feeling much grief. They remember many others who didn’t get this result, and are still reeling from many injustices they endure daily.”
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