NAACP SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BRANCH STATEMENT ON THE CHAUVIN VERDICT
Santa Cruz, CA: April 20, 2021
The arc of the moral universe bent a little closer to justice today but there is still a long way to go. A badge is never a shield for accountability. This trial serves as a reminder of the urgent need to pass legislation to hold police accountable, change the culture of law enforcement and build trust between law enforcement and our communities by preventing police brutality and allowing survivors and families of victims access to justice.
Countless victims like George Floyd, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor and now Daunte Wright have had their obituaries reopened, edited, rewritten, day after day. Our country has been relegated to no longer allowing the victim to rest in peace, but forcing their lives to be marred by public perception, criticism, and opinions as methods of rationalizing death as if our lives are expendable. Enough is Enough!
This verdict offers a measure of justice but no consolation to the family and friends of Mr. Floyd. The time is now to not only reform but completely rethink the U.S. system of law enforcement.
The NAACP will not rest and is well-positioned to continue our efforts to ensure the deaths of George Floyd, Daunte Wright, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, and countless others are not in vain but move us toward true and unadulterated justice for our community.
The NAACP demands
An end to the horrors of police brutality and a criminal justice system that properly holds law enforcement officials accountable.
An end to qualified immunity, which protects government officials from lawsuits seeking monetary damages.
Collect data on police encounters that will provide transparency and safety for our communities.