A Minnesota jury found Derek Chauvin guilty Tuesday of the murder of George Floyd, nearly eleven months after the former police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, killing him and causing racial justice protests across the country has.
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 ever in question.
Meanwhile, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler has declared a 24-hour state of emergency, enabling him to set a curfew, block city streets and take other extraordinary measures in the event of political unrest. No large crowds gathered early Tuesday night.
Here’s how Oregon activists, community leaders, and politicians reacted to Chauvin’s belief:
ACTIVITIES LIMITED REPORT, RECOGNIZED NEEDED FOR BIGGER CHANGE
The anxiety was high on Tuesday morning for activist Lydia Gray-Holifield, 53, as she awaits the jury’s decision.
“Before the verdict, I had all kinds of emotions and thoughts in my head and nervousness,” Gray-Holifield said. ‘After hearing the verdict, I felt that prayers had been heard, and although he did not Floyd is not bringing us back, it’s still a step in the right direction. ‘
Gray-Holifield hopes Tuesday’s ruling will encourage Portland’s police and police departments nationwide to receive mandatory, regular training that focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion. According to her, part of the training should be focused on learning the trauma that many black and colored people experience during their interaction with the police.
‘Not just as a mother, but also as a black mother who is pulled over by the police and has to say to your children who are 12 and 7 and 8 years old,’ Put your hands up in the air and be quiet. Do not move suddenly. “… It’s the worst feeling in the world,” Gray-Holifield said. “I want the police to understand as a mother the seriousness of what happens to us every time we are pulled over, or one of us children or my brother or my uncle. That fear. “
Sharon Gary-Smith, president of the NAACP chapter in Portland, said she has mixed emotions about the ruling.
“I do not think any of us can be anything less than delighted that justice is being served,” she said. “But the fact that it is an unusual statement given the number of murders of black men, women and children – it is a bitter bitter moment.”
Gary-Smith said the contrast was particularly strong when she used her childhood in Portland and the police station’s own cases of violence – especially against black residents.
She said she hoped the verdict would lead to Portland area leaders immediately investigating qualified immunity for officers who commit acts that would be considered criminal by someone else.
Demetria Hester, an activist who was a prominent voice during the protests in Portland, called the ruling inadequate.
She questions the wording of Chauvin’s charges, namely his second-degree unintentional murder charge.
“I’ve never heard of it,” she told The Oregonian / OregonLive. ‘If you put your knee on his neck for eight minutes with his hands in your pockets, is that unintentional? Are we still playing these games? ”
Hester said she believes the verdict is an attempt to appease the public, while Chauvin is not really held accountable.
“They knew everyone would be in trouble if he was found guilty,” she said. “Everyone goes back to comfort.”
Teressa Raiford, a former mayoral candidate and founder of the nonprofit Do Not Shoot Portland, said the ruling Tuesday was a “step toward accountability” but noted there was still work to be done.
“That does not mean our children cannot go out and be killed like Quanice Hayes was in the park or was shot due to a mental health emergency like the person at Lents Park was,” Raiford said, noting that the conviction of one officer well nothing to change the violence entrenched in policing.
Mac Smiff, an activist and independent journalist, praised the verdict, but said there was still work to be done.
“Our goal is still not just to hold a police officer accountable, but to completely change the system of public safety,” Smiff said. ‘It’s a step in the right direction. It’s still a historic moment, but it’s just a step. ”
A group of nearly 40 black creatives, activists and community members also wrote an open letter calling for protesters to listen to black leaders and support them in the way they ask to be supported, rather than in a way that blacks harm people. The letter was published in light of the destruction of historic Black neighborhoods and black-owned enterprises during recent protests.
“There is no excuse for the police to kill civilians. This is completely unacceptable and every abuse of power is a stain on our people and a stumbling block to peace. “Every cover-up, lie and delay further proves that this system is not reformable,” the letter reads. “Know that the damage we do, our communities and our resources undo the work we do.”
ELECTED OFFICERS respond
Several black lawmakers have expressed complicated feelings about Chauvin’s conviction.
Rep. Janelle Bynum, a Democrat from Happy Valley, said the trial gives her competitive feelings about the dangers her own sons face, and that she fears it could happen to them at any time.
‘Maybe it’s a little easier to breathe today, but I will not stop praying for them. “I’m not sure if we really made a turn,” she said in a statement. ‘The reason I’m not sure is that the ability to convict lies in the laws that have been written and the jury orders. We can have all the evidence in the world, know that something is wrong, but if the question itself is flawed and the person is poor / black, nothing even matters. Justice will not be served. ”
Sen. Lew Frederick said the ruling was “appropriate” and that he hoped it would reinforce the changes that were already underway. ‘
Mayor Ted Wheeler also praised the ruling.
“Justice has been served today. “Derek Chauvin was rightly convicted of the murder of George Floyd,” Wheeler said in a statement. “The verdict will not bring George Floyd back, and it will not repair the damage, but it is an encouraging point on the long road to justice and fairness. That we live in a world where that can be the result gives me hope for the future and our ability to make the reforms in Portland. My colleagues in the city council and I are committed to the hard work ahead. ”
A number of other officials released statements acknowledging the magnitude of the verdict and sent thoughts to the Floyd family. Local law enforcement agencies, including the Portland Police and the Sheriff’s Offices in Multnomah and Washington, have also issued statements in support of the ruling.
Gray-Holifield said the verdict is a beginning, not an end.
“These people have taken an oath to protect us, and instead they are killing us,” Gray-Holifield said. ‘Yes, we can celebrate this victory, but we must also remain focused and vigilant for the cause and continue to fight this battle of fairness and diversity and inclusion for black and colored people. It was a victory for us, but it is not the end for us. ”
—Jayati Ramakrishnan; @JRamakrishnanOR
—Catalina Gaitán; @catalinagaitan_
Noelle Crombie of The Oregonian / OregonLive contributed to this report.