The outcome of the Derek Chauvin trial – guilty on all counts – brings some measure of justice to the family of George Floyd, and relief to the community in Minneapolis, to Black and brown communities across the nation, and to all people of conscience.

The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute applauds the state prosecutors for making a strong case and the jury for their verdict. But the truth is that George Floyd should be alive today. His life mattered, he mattered. His agonizing death was the outcome of systemic racism in our nation that has devalued the humanity of Black people for 400 years. The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute pledges to continue our work to combat racism and injustice and to ensure that our Commonwealth and our nation treats Black and brown people with dignity, and that as a society we promote equity along with justice.

In solidarity,

Georgia Katsoulomitis, Executive Director

Virginia Benzan, Director, MLRI Racial Equity & Justice Project