Immigration Equality Responds to the State of Minnesota v. Derek Chauvin

New York, NY (April 20, 2021) — Immigration Equality Executive Director Aaron C. Morris released the following statement:

Today, the United States took an important step toward unravelling a tragic, uniquely American pattern that so often exonerates murderers in uniform. No one has more anxiously been awaiting the jury’s decision in the Chauvin case than the family of George Floyd. We hope the verdict can provide them at least some peace of mind. At the same time, we condemn the white supremacy that led to this shameful tragedy. 

For far too long, Black and Brown people have suffered the disproportionate impact of police-based violence in the United States. For just as long, very little has been done to change a system that allows law enforcement officers from erasing a life without repercussion.

All Americans should be able to look to our officers, to our courts, and to our government with the confidence that they serve and protect us equally. Let this be the moment that we acknowledge how broken our nation is, and how white supremacy continues to distort and pollute the lofty ideals we purport to have.

Black lives matter. They always will.