Newtown, CT — Yesterday, a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of all three counts for the murder of George Floyd, bringing a rare moment of law enforcement accountability for Black and Brown communities. The New York Times reports that there have been only seven murder convictions of police officers since 2005 — that equates to one conviction for every 2,000 killings by law enforcement.
In response to the ruling, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy issued the following statement:
“George Floyd was murdered by those sworn to protect us all. And while yesterday’s ruling was an important step towards accountability, no legal proceeding or verdict can take away the pain and tragedy that occurred on that day, nor return George Floyd to his family. And we did not need a verdict to tell us what the world witnessed: a Black person being killed at the hands of police. We must strengthen our efforts and work with allies for racial equity to reimagine justice and end the vicious cycle of systemic racism.”
###
About Sandy Hook Promise
Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to end school shootings and create a culture change that prevents violence and other harmful acts that hurt children. Through its life-saving, evidence-informed Know the Signs prevention programs, SHP educates and empowers youth and adults to recognize, intervene, and get help for individuals who may be socially isolated and/or at risk of hurting themselves or others. Through nonpartisan policy and partnerships, SHP advances gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education at the state and federal levels that protect all children from gun violence in their schools, homes, and communities. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. Learn more at www.sandyhookpromise.org
Media Contact:
Aimee Thunberg, Senior Director, Communications, Sandy Hook Promise | [email protected] | 646.761.5579