Casten Statement on Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) today issued the following statement after a verdict was reached in the trial of Derek Chauvin.
Casten said, "For Americans who watched for the 9 minutes and 29 seconds as George Floyd was murdered, this trial wasn't so much a question of guilt as it was a test of the American justice system. Today, our justice system prevailed, but in so many instances, it continues to fail Black and brown Americans.
"While I hope that today's verdict paves the way for increased accountability for police brutality, it is also my hope that it doesn't dissuade us from reckoning with the reality facing Black and Brown Americans or the long way we have left to go. Massive disparities in policing and incarceration, health care, housing, access to clean air and drinking water, and voting rights continue today and every day.
"In the wise words of John Lewis, ‘A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.'"