PRESS STATEMENT: CAIR-Chicago Applauds Guilty Verdict in Derek Chauvin Case

PRESS STATEMENT

**FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION**

CAIR-Chicago Applauds Guilty on All Three Counts Verdict in Derek Chauvin Case

(CHICAGO, IL, 4/20/2021) - The Chicago chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, today applauds the guilty verdict on all three counts announced in the Derek Chauvin trial. Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty after placing his knee on George Floyd’s back, leading to Floyd’s death, in May 2020. Floyd’s murder at the hands of police sparked a summer of revolution in the country, with citizens taking to the streets demanding justice for Black lives.

"I hope the verdict of guilty on all three counts brings some solace to the Floyd family and some relief to those families whose loved ones perished at the hands of law enforcement and vigilantes. While this is a monumental, historic verdict, the struggle is not over,” said Outreach Coordinator Gerald Hankerson.

“The institution and systems rooted in racism must account for the injustices and inequities our communities either perish to or survive. The community members that became unexpected witnesses to Floyd’s murder show some ways we can all step up for justice even when it makes us uncomfortable and vulnerable. We must continue to learn, lift our voices and hold those in power and influence accountable. We must ensure that every person will be valued for their humanity. George Perry Floyd’s life mattered."

SEE: CAIR-Chicago’s Black Lives Matter Portal

“While a single guilty verdict in a single case will not settle the larger problem of police brutality and systemic undervaluing of Black lives in America, verdicts like today’s are necessary steps if we are ever to get there,” said Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR-Chicago.

“This is justice delivered by a village. From activists and families, to MN AG Keith Ellison and the excellent attorneys he brought in, to the millions of supporting voices that have shouted ‘enough is enough.’ But most of all: every Black man and woman whose mere existence with purpose is a living testimony of defiance to systemic abuse that will not go away.”

"Nothing will bring George Floyd back, but I hope his family and friends feel a sense of relief or closure,” Staff Attorney Tamer Abouzeid said. “Our work must continue to fight against the system that made this murder possible in the first place."

CAIR-Chicago is the Chicago Chapter of America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Our mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote tolerance.

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CONTACT: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director Ahmed Rehab, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Saadia Pervaiz, 312-212-1520, spervaiz@cair.com; CAIR-Chicago Communications Coordinator Hannah Faris, 312-212-1520, hfaris@cair.com