Chauvin Verdict a Relief, but the Fight for Racial Equity is Far from Over

WASHINGTON  –  330 days after Minnesota resident George Floyd’s death, a jury today found former police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murder.

National Farmers Union (NFU) called the act “an abuse of power and a horrifying act of violence,” and said it underscored the “urgent need for racial justice and equity in the United States.” Following the verdict, NFU President Rob Larew expressed relief but indicated that the fight was far from over. 

“Eleven months ago, the country watched in disbelief and horror as a Black man was brutally murdered after being arrested for a nonviolent misdemeanor.

“Today, we breathe a sigh of relief that finally the police officer responsible for George Floyd’s death is being held accountable for his actions. But the anger and grief Americans felt wasn’t just about one man and one police officer; it was about an entire society whose institutions have too often facilitated violence towards Black communities. Despite today’s verdict, the framework that enables racism still exists. Now is the time for us to continue challenging that framework, to continue building a just and equal society for all.”

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National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of nearly 200,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.

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