Derek Chauvin’s verdict: Former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd; Chicago responds, Pritzker brings in national guard

CHICAGO (WLS) – The streets were quiet in Chicago after Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer, was convicted of murder in the death of George Floyd, with the overwhelming sentiment expressed as relief and justice.

Chauvin was convicted on all charges shortly after 4 p.m. He is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

RELATED | Derek Chauvin convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd

A small group of people gathered in downtown Daley Plaza in anticipation of the verdict. Although convicted, they said true justice in America requires more than just one conviction.

The Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression organized the protest, saying they intended to convene after the verdict, regardless of what the jury decides.

They said it’s a moment bigger than George Floyd, Derek Chauvin or Minneapolis, and they hope people in Chicago think about what they believe is a need for police reform in the city.

The group is also planning a rally on Wednesday at 9 a.m. across from City Hall, calling on the Chicago City Council to pass a decree that will give communities more say in the police in their neighborhoods.

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Some people said they had stomach pains while waiting for the verdict, and many told ABC7 Eyewitness News that they had a sense of anticipation and fear, no matter what the verdict turned out to be.

Rev. Martin Hunter, Laquan McDonald’s great uncle, also kept a close eye on the jury’s decision. He knows how a video can not only affect public opinion but also convince a jury to convict a police officer.

“We have now charged another police officer and found him guilty of what he did to a black man in America. This is again the beginning of a new era in policing. We still have a long way to go in this country to go, “he said.

McDonald was shot 16 times in 2014 by former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke. and 16 counts of a serious battery with a firearm. Van Dyke was convicted of second-degree murder and all charges of aggravating battery, and was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for the murder of McDonald’s.

Hunter also said as he watched the verdict being read, he tore up and realized he could never grieve for his granddaughter.

“If we talk about how to stop it, and the answer is that the police always need training, they need retraining, they need new training. That’s the training,” said Hermene Hartman, founder and publisher of N “Digo,” he said.

The ruling has been widely praised by politicians as a step in the right direction.

“I’m honestly relieved because I feel that justice was actually blind to this, they did not see color, they actually saw what happened,” said Jeanette Taylor, 20th alderman.

KYK | Politicians praise conviction as a step in the right direction

Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who spoke at an event in honor of pandemic heroes of the past year, said Floyd’s death resulted in an important moment in ending systemic racism.

“And in this same time we have experienced a tidal wave of civil uprising after the assassination of George Floyd, and today, ladies and gentlemen, justice is being served,” she said.

The Pritzker government tweeted shortly after the verdict was read, saying: ‘No courtroom can ever replace a life, but it can and must do justice. “Today, the jury honored the truth in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin.”

Lieutenant-Governor Juliana Stratton issued a statement in response to the verdict, saying in part: ‘Now, in Minneapolis, a diverse jury of men and women with different political experiences has issued a conviction telling this people and the world, that the humanity of black people matters. Ultimately, this is what accountability looks like. But make no mistake, George Floyd should still be alive today and the system still needs to change. “

RELATED | George Floyd’s family calls victory in Derek Chauvin trial verdict: ‘We won’

Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama said in part, “Today, a jury in Minneapolis did the right thing.”

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement, saying in part, “Today justice has been served, and I hope this ruling brings some peace to the family and friends of George Floyd, and makes it possible to “not only from the tragic death of Floyd but also from the trauma of the trial. I am also hopeful that this verdict will begin with the healing our country needs.”

Illinois House Republican leader Jim Durkin said, “While today’s verdict will not bring back the life of George Floyd, it does provide a powerful statement that no one is above the law.”

KYK | Activists celebrate verdict as they promise to keep fighting injustice

The ruling also gives further momentum to those calling for police reform.

“We are relieved, but we can not celebrate because the killings are continuing,” said Rev. Jesse Jackson.

“We need to realize that this is justice for George Floyd, but we need to do more to prevent future cases like this,” said Carlos Ramirez-Rosa, 35th Ward.

“Hopefully this is not going to keep happening, you know, maybe it will help, but we also hope as members of Congress that we will pass a torch for justice and policing,” Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Chicago) said, Chairman of the Democratic Party in Illinois.

Activists promise to continue to advance in their struggle.

“We must do everything in our power to crack down on the system of repression, and the police are the protectors of oppression,” said LaSaia Wade, executive director of Brave Space Alliance.

KYK | Chicago activist’s message after convictions: ‘Be the voice for black people’

Andre Williams, a resident of Humboldt Park, said the convictions in the Chauvin trial in particular set a great tone for Chicago.

One year ago, Williams delivered a speech at the height of a Black Lives Matter protest on the Northwest side. He spoke to a group of mostly white, young protesters and pleaded with them to be activists in their own homes, along with their parents and grandparents. In response to the ruling, Williams promoted the same message.

“At some point, you have to be the voice for black people in your household,” Williams said. “And it should start today.”

Chicago police spokesman John Catanzara said he did not agree with any of the tactics Chauvin used that day and was not surprised by the conviction.

“It was a justified use of force to the point that Mr. Floyd stopped breathing. Then it became excessive. It’s really so cut and dry, ‘Catanzara said. “The perception that it’s an epidemic nationwide – it just needs to stop.”

Catanzara said it was sending a message to police that if they crossed the line, they would be tried and convicted.

National Guard called in, businesses in the city center act before verdict

Many Chicago businesses downtown were already on board early Tuesday morning. At the request of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Pritzker said he would appoint 125 members of the National Guard to support the Chicago Police Department from Tuesday.

“The Illinois National Guard will carry out a limited mission to help manage the closure of the street and will not interfere with peaceful protesters exercising their first amendment rights, much the same role as members of the Guard in previous deployments,” Pritzker said. ‘s office said in a written statement.

The soldiers designated are from the 33rd Military Police Battalion and are specially trained in riot control, the statement said.

“It is critical that those who want to peacefully protest against the systemic racism and injustice that are holding back too many of our communities can still do so. Members of the guard and police in Illinois will support the City of Chicago’s efforts to protect rights. of peaceful protesters and keeping our families safe, ‘Pritzker said in a written statement on Monday.

Pritzker’s office also said the Illinois State Police would support CPD with additional troops.

ISP told the I-Team that they are in contact with the Chicago Police Department to help with peaceful protests and to keep the community safe. They were not asked to help in Minnesota, as some other nearby states did.

Some businesses along the Magnificent Mile and elsewhere in the city have been on board since last Thursday, when a video of the fatal one was on board. Police shoot 13-year-old Adam Toledo in Chicago was released.

Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications also went prepared for the jury’s decision, but said there is currently no workable intelligence.

“Infrastructure assets” will be strategically staged to ensure safety, OEMC said.

Brian Hopkins, second ward councilor, said the city is too prepared.

“This means that the National Guard is in place to do, if necessary, crowd control and traffic control. This means having trained police officers who have trained for such occasions, who now know what the appropriate response to civil disobedience is, whether it is looting is whether it’s a protest getting out of control, “Hopkins said.

Commenting on a request for guard troops at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday morning, Lightfoot said: “We learned a lot during the past summer and fall about additional things we needed to do. Last week we activated our neighborhood protection plan, which officials “They are very visible. They are very visible.”

Black and Latinx organizers condemned the mayor’s plan to install the troops of the national guard before the verdict.

They said protesters who marched last Friday night, furious about the police killing of Toledo, were treated with heavy hand by officers, and they believe this is how protesters will be treated following any possible verdict in the Chauvin- case.

“Last Friday, during peaceful protests that took place, we saw clear indications that CPD intends to respond to protests stemming from the Adam Toledo and George Floyd verdicts with the same violence and racism,” Sheila Bed said. .

Hopkins said there is “no intelligence at the moment” of anything expected to take place downtown.

He also said the National Guard is out of sight so they can respond within minutes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.