Yesterday, we learned that George Floyd’s killer was convicted for his murder, but true justice remains elusive. We turn to local Black LGBTQ elected officials from across the country to share what this moment means, what true justice is, and the work that remains.
Minneapolis City Council Vice President Andrea Jenkins
First Black out trans woman elected to a major city’s council and representative of the district in which George Floyd was killed.
“Today our city, our nation took a step towards justice, a step towards accountability, a step towards equity. It continues to give us hope to keep fighting for justice. They said the world was watching, today those 12 jurors showed up. Thank you.”[1]
Minneapolis City Councilor Phillipe Cunningham
First Black out trans man elected to a major city’s council
“Rejoice in accountability. Breathe a sigh of relief. But we must not get lost in this moment. A guilty verdict is an island in a sea of injustices. This broken system is far from fixed…We must lean into uncomfortable, necessary change. Lean into this moment…Yes, it is hard to build new, transformative systems that keep ALL of us safe and make sure this never happens again but it is surmountable. We can and must do this. Black bodies must no longer be used as sacrifices to further social progress. Please join me in sending light, love, and prayer to George Floyd, Daunte Wright, their children, and their families.”[2]
Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones
First out LGBTQ member of the Florida state Senate
“The emotion, as a young Black man in this country, to have justice prevail in the Chauvin murder trial that has captivated the world’s attention is indescribable. While millions of people breathe a sigh of relief for this accountability, there is still so much work to be done. What’s clear is that it is long past time to address systemic racism in this country and I will continue to push for real reforms so that everyone can live safely without fear of harassment, discrimination, or being killed. I continue to pray for the Floyd family and others across the country who’ve suffered immense, unnecessary loss due to nothing more than the color of their skin. Now pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020.”[3][4]
Colorado State Representative Leslie Herod
First Black out LGBTQ member of the Colorado state legislature
“We will not be stopped in this work. We will continue because we must, these incidences should never happen. What we saw in the video of George Floyd was the most egregious, but it wasn’t the only type of action that’s happening in our communities every day. And it’s got to change.”[5]
Oklahoma Representative Mauree Turner
First out non-binary person elected to a state legislature in the U.S.
“There is a lot of weight with this verdict. Take care of yourself and your friends. I also want to echo the sentiments shared across the nation: What we saw today is a small measure of accountability – a sacrifice. We are operating in a system that is operating as it was meant, but can always be reimagined with the people in mind and rebuild it as such. We can build something better that doesn’t need us to sacrifice our communities to keep it alive. Something that works for the people. So let’s keep working.”[6]
[1] https://twitter.com/annapoetic/status/1384646891149959173
[2] https://twitter.com/CunninghamMPLS/status/1384670040377733120
[3] https://twitter.com/ShevrinJones/status/1384617420933959680
[4] https://twitter.com/ShevrinJones/status/1384626199046107136
[5] https://www.cpr.org/2021/04/20/colorados-criminal-justice-reformers-say-chauvin-verdict-is-a-single-small-step-for-equality/?fbclid=IwAR0RfXwfikDUspczR8gjHF1GC9a1KDokTAEYY8yzrQpoxpxwm3ZziawsNBE
[6] https://www.facebook.com/MaureeTurnerOK/posts/297344861799840
