FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 25, 2021
Contact: Juan Ramiro Sarmiento
(785) 760 – 6567 | Juanramiro.sarmiento@younginvincibles.org
One Year Later: The Fight For Justice Continues
(Washington, D.C.) — Today marks the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis Police Officer, Derek Chauvin. Earlier this year, a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty on all three charges — second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter — for his role in the killing of Mr. Floyd. The case ignited worldwide protests and a national reckoning on race and policing across the United States.
In response, Rachel Fleischer, Executive Director for Young Invincibles, issued the following statement:
“George Floyd should be alive today. No one should have to serve as a martyr for the nation to recognize the entrenched systemic racism present in most of our institutions.
While Derek Chauvin’s conviction was a much-needed change in a long line of police killings, we recognize the fight for justice continues. It is clear we have a long march towards realizing the promise of ‘Justice for All.’ We must remain unflinching in our demands for justice and systemic change.
To that end, one year later, we have yet to enact the ‘George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.’ It is beyond time to act.
We renew our calls for a realignment of budgetary priorities across the nation. We can shift valuable tax dollars away from harmful policing towards human-centered services that actually work to keep communities safer. Investing in education, health care, jobs, and housing is violence prevention.
It is time to divert funds from exorbitant police budgets and put money into people. It is time to take decisive action to build healthy and thriving communities without the fear of state-sanctioned violence at the hands of police forces.
Importantly, Floyd’s death also inspired internal conversations and a stepped-up level of expected action here at YI. We are focusing intensely on the role racial justice and equity play in the issues we champion and fight for on behalf of young people. No longer can we, or will we, be silent on these issues.”
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