The jury in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin has returned guilty verdicts for the Minneapolis police officer who murdered George Floyd in May 2020. Chauvin was found guilty of second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
George Floyd’s death reignited a nationwide movement to reform policing and law enforcement practices, systems that were developed to uphold anti-Black racism. Despite today’s conviction of Derek Chauvin, we must recognize that these systems are not reformed by a verdict — they must be dismantled to eliminate systemic racism in this country. AIDS Foundation Chicago (AFC) will work with and support communities as they continue to take action to eliminate the racist practices of police departments, both in Chicago and beyond.
AFC fights for change that centers the needs and demands of BIPOC communities. We support deeply transformative approaches to achieving justice and equity. We look to BIPOC leadership to guide the work and listen to their voices to lead the conversations around dismantling white supremacy. We consistently advocate for system-level change, including championing Illinois’ landmark criminal justice bill earlier in 2021 and fighting to decriminalize HIV through a bill making its way through Illinois’ legislature right now. AFC also recognizes the harm of being in jail or prison for people living with HIV and works to connect them to vital services and resources through its Safe and Sound Return Partnership and Women Evolving programs.
May we continue to fight to preserve the memory and legacy of George Floyd and too many other Black Americans who have been killed by police. May our fight lead to true systemic changes in law enforcement and beyond.
