Source: Politics<\/p>\n
The family of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed when a police officer pinned him with his knee for more than nine minutes, expressed relief and gratitude Tuesday after Derek Chauvin was convicted in Floyd’s death. <\/p>\n
\u201cI feel relieved today that I finally have the opportunity for hopefully getting some sleep,\u201d said Philonise Floyd, the brother of George Floyd, who was killed in Minneapolis in May 2020.<\/p>\n
Chauvin, a 45-year-old white man, was convicted of Floyd\u2019s murder Tuesday, with a jury finding him guilty on all three charges he faced: one count of second-degree unintentional murder, one count of third-degree murder and and one count of second-degree manslaughter.<\/p>\n
The killing of Floyd set off a nationwide reckoning on race and sparked ongoing calls for police reform. <\/p>\n
At a news conference after Chauvin was convicted, several members of Floyd\u2019s family celebrated the verdict \u2014 expressing relief at the outcome \u2014 and echoed calls for police reform \u201cto make sure not another family has to suffer what we suffered.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI get calls. I get DMs, people from Brazil, from Ghana, from Germany. Everybody. London, Italy, they’re all saying the same thing. \u2018We won’t be able to breathe until you’re able to breathe.\u2019 Today, we are able to breathe again,\u201d Philonise Floyd said.<\/p>\n
Terrence Floyd, George Floyd\u2019s brother, called the trial\u2019s outcome \u201cmonumental,\u201d adding that he\u2019s grateful his family \u201cgot to see this history made.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m going to miss him, but now I know he’s in history. What a day to be a Floyd, man,\u201d Terrence Floyd said.<\/p>\n
But the family also stressed that Tuesday\u2019s verdict does not mean the fight for reform is over. Several family members called Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and said they\u2019ll continue to fight for justice for victims of police violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need each and every officer to be held accountable. Until then, it’s still scary to be a Black man or woman in America encountering police,\u201d said Brandon Williams, George Floyd\u2019s nephew. \u201cSo when I say today is a pivotal moment, it’s a time for America to take the turn in the right direction and right a lot of wrongs so we don’t keep adding to these names.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the news conference, Philonise Floyd told CNN that though people are celebrating Tuesday, it would be \u201cback to business\u201d come Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all need justice. We are all fighting for one reason and it is justice for all. And I think today has been an occasion where people can celebrate but tomorrow is back to business because we have to stay steps ahead of everything,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n