A jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges in the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, living in Minnesota. The death of George Floyd helped to spark a global movement in support of racial justice and to end police violence.

Following is a statement from Manish Bapna, Interim President and CEO, WRI:

“With today’s guilty verdict, a painful chapter closes. This decision will not heal all wounds. It will not bring justice to so many Black and Brown people who have been victims of racially driven violence. But, the decision does deliver a message about accountability. It sends a clear signal that people in power cannot act with impunity against other people, no matter the color of their skin.
 
“Simply put: There is no place in society for racial violence. We believe in a world where all people are treated fairly and with respect.
 
“Today’s decision does not wipe away centuries of oppression and the systemic racism engrained in this country. Just in the last year alone, nearly 1,000 people have been killed in police shootings, including Daunte Wright, a Black man who was shot by a white police officer just 10 miles from the Chauvin trial. Tragically, Adam Toledo, a 13-year-old Mexican-American boy was shot in Chicago just as the testimony began.
 
“At WRI, we recognize that we cannot achieve our mission without achieving a more just world. We, too, have much more work to do. We will continue to push forward within our organization, with our partners and peers, and as individuals to unite around a more just, equitable and inclusive future.
 
“Today, we join with others to condemn racism in all forms. We stand for justice in solidarity with communities of color across the United States and around the world.”