A Minnesota jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd on Tuesday, nearly 11 months after the former police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, killing him and sparking protests against racial justice across the country.
Oregon activists, racial justice advocates and elected officials responded to Chauvin’s conviction with feelings ranging from relief at the verdict to frustration that it was once in question.
Meanwhile, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler declared a 24-hour state of emergency, allowing him to impose a curfew, close city streets, and take other extraordinary measures should widespread political unrest develop. No large crowds had gathered early Tuesday evening.
Here’s how Oregon activists, community leaders, and politicians responded to Chauvin’s conviction:
ACTIVISTS EXPRESS RELIEF, RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR BIGGER CHANGE
Fears were high Tuesday morning for activist Lydia Gray-Holifield, 53, pending the jury’s decision.
“Before the verdict, I had all kinds of emotions and thoughts that were in my head and nervousness,” said Gray-Holifield. “After hearing the verdict, I felt that prayers had been answered, and although he is not returning Mr. Floyd back to us, it is still a step in the right direction.”
Gray-Holifield hopes Tuesday’s verdict will spur Portland police and police departments across the country to receive mandatory, regular training focused on diversity, equality and inclusion. Part of that training, she said, should focus on learning the trauma that many black and brown people experience during their interactions with the police.
“Not just as a mother, but as a black mother, stopped by the police and telling your 12 and 7 and 8 year old kids, ‘Raise your hands up and be still. Do not make sudden movements. “… That’s the worst feeling in the world,” said Gray-Holifield. “I want (the police) as a mother to understand how seriously what happens to us every time we are arrested, or one of our children is arrested, or my brother or my uncle. That fear. “
Sharon Gary-Smith, the president of the NAACP branch in Portland, said she had mixed feelings about the verdict.
“I don’t think any of us can be anything less than happy that justice has been served,” she said. “But the fact that it’s an unusual verdict given the number of murders of black men, women and children – it’s kind of a bittersweet moment.”
Gary-Smith said the contrast was especially stark when she thought about her childhood in Portland and the police station’s cases of violence, especially against black residents.
She said she hopes the verdict will prompt Portland-area leaders to promptly and rigorously investigate qualified immunity for officers who commit acts that someone else would consider criminal.
Demetria Hester, an activist who has had a prominent voice in the Portland protests, called the verdict inadequate.
She questioned the wording of Chauvin’s charges, namely his charge of second degree unintentional murder.
“I’ve never heard of that,” she told The Oregonian / OregonLive. If you put your knee on his neck with your hands in your pockets for eight minutes, is that unintentional? Are we still playing these games? “
Hester said she felt the verdict was an attempt to appease the public without actually holding Chauvin accountable.
“They knew everyone would be in an uproar if found guilty,” she said. “Everyone is going back to comfort.”
Teressa Raiford, a former mayoral candidate and founder of the nonprofit Don’t Shoot Portland, said Tuesday’s verdict was a “step toward accountability,” but noted that there is still work to be done.
“It doesn’t mean our kids can’t go out and be killed like Quanice Hayes was or shot in the park because of a mental health emergency like the person was in Lents Park,” Raiford said, noting that the conviction of an officer does. nothing changes the violence entrenched in the police.
Mac Smiff, an activist and independent journalist, praised the verdict but said there is more work to be done.
“Our goal is still not just to hold a police officer to account, but to really change the public safety system,” Smiff said. “It is a step in the right direction. It is still a historic moment, but it is only a step. “
A group of nearly 40 black creatives, activists and community members also wrote an open letter calling on protesters to listen to and support black leaders in the way they ask for support, rather than in a way that harmful to black people. The letter was published in light of the destruction of historically black neighborhoods and black businesses during recent protests.
“There is no excuse for the police to kill civilians. This is completely unacceptable and any abuse of power is a stain on our nation and an obstacle to peace. Every cover up, lie and delay further prove to us that this system is not reformable, ”the letter said. “Understand that harming us, our communities and our resources, is undoing our work.”
ELECTED OFFICIALS RESPOND
Several black lawmakers expressed complex feelings about Chauvin’s conviction.
Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Democrat from Happy Valley, said the trial raised conflicting feelings for her about the dangers facing her own sons – and her fear that something could happen to them at any time for no reason.
“Maybe today makes it a little easier to breathe, but I keep praying for them. I’m not sure we really turned a corner, ”she said in a statement. “The reason I’m not sure is that the ability to convict lies in the laws that are written and the jury instructions. We can have all the evidence in the world, know something is wrong, but if the question itself is flawed and the person is poor / black, nothing even matters. Justice is not served. “
Senator Lew Frederick said the verdict was “appropriate” and that he hopes it “reinforces the changes already underway.”
Mayor Ted Wheeler also praised the verdict.
Justice is served today. Derek Chauvin has been rightly convicted of the murder of George Floyd, ”Wheeler said in a statement. “The verdict will not bring back George Floyd, and it will not repair the damage, but it is an encouraging stopover on the long road to justice and fairness. The fact that we live in a world where this can result gives me an idea of the future and our ability to deliver the reforms we need in Portland. My City Council colleagues and I are committed to the hard work ahead. “
A host of other officials have released statements acknowledging the magnitude of the verdict and sending thoughts to the Floyd family. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Portland Police Department and the sheriff’s offices of Multnomah and Washington, also issued statements in support of the verdict.
Gray-Holifield said the verdict was a beginning, not an end.
“These people have taken an oath to protect us, and they are killing us instead,” said Gray-Holifield. “Yes, we can celebrate this victory, but we also need to stay focused and wide awake for the cause and continue to fight for equality and diversity and inclusion for black and brown people. This was a victory for us, but it is not the end for us. “
—Jayati Ramakrishnan; @JRamakrishnanOR
—Catalina Gaitán; @RTLnieuws
Noelle Crombie of The Oregonian / OregonLive contributed to this report.