Floyd Family Reacts To Chauvin Trial Verdict: 'We're Able To Breathe Again'

Following the months-long trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a jury reached a guilty verdict on all charges after deliberating for several hours across two days. 

Members of the Floyd family have protested and called for justice since their loved one's death last May.

Terrence Floyd, George Floyd's brother, said before the trial began last month, that it was a "chance" for the American criminal justice system to prove it is trustworthy.

When verdict was read, CNN's Sara Sidner spoke to Philonise Floyd who she says was emotional after hearing Chauvin had been found guilty on all charges. Sidner said Philonise shared the verdict gave him "relief and release."

Courteney Ross, George Floyd's girlfriend, was outside of the court ahead of the verdict being read. "I love him," she told reporters.

In a statement, the family's attorney, Ben Crump, tweeted "justice finally arrived for George Floyd's family."

The family held a press conference after the guilty verdict. Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton thanked those involved in the trial, highlighting the efforts of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Sharpton said this was the first time a white officer was convicted of murder in the state. Sharpton called a number of victims of police violence, including Breonna Taylor, whose boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, Sharpton said, was in attendance with the family.

Sharpton led the family in prayer before civil rights attorney Ben Crump and members of the Floyd family spoke.

"I have some relief today... to hopefully get some sleep," Philonise Floyd said. He recalled Emmett Till, who was murdered in 1955 by white supremacists, saying Till was "the first George Floyd."

"We have to march, we will have to do this for life," he said, after calling the name of Daunte Wright who was killed by police on April 11 in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, 10 miles away from where George Floyd was murdered. "This seems like it's a never-ending cycle."

"I'm going to put a fight everyday, because I'm not just fighting for George anymore. I'm fighting for everybody around this world," Philonise said.

"Today, we're able to breathe again," Philonise said. He vowed to fight for Eric Garner's family as well.

"Justice for George, means freedom for all," he said, thanking advocates, activists who protested for months.

Terrence Floyd, said "This is monumental." Terrence called out legendary civil rights leaders, Jesse Jackson, and Sharpton, who he said have "been fighting a long time." "It's a lot of history here...This is monumental." Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton "lived to see this," he said, adding, "their fight wasn't in vain."

"What a day to be a Floyd," he said at the end of the remarks.

Rodney Floyd also took the podium and thanked all the activists who "stayed in the street," and "everybody." "We are going to keep pressure on the Senate," he added, in reference to the federal bill on police reform the family is pushing to get passed.

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content