Mild Celebrations In Downtown Dallas Follow Derek Chauvin Guilty Verdict NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – North Texas leaders reacted Tuesday, April 20, to former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd last year. Derek Chauvin listens to guilty verdicts (CBS News) Chauvin was shown on a teenager’s cell phone video with his knee on a handcuffed Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes, killing Floyd after police were called to a story where a clerk said Floyd used a counterfeit $20. George Floyd (courtesy: Floyd family) Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson tweeted shortly after the judge read the guilty verdicts, “A jury of Derek Chauvin’s peers has delivered justice in the only way that they could. Ultimately, the rule of law prevailed. We have more work ahead of us to make our country and our city stronger, safer, and more equitable. But today, the system worked.” A jury of Derek Chauvin’s peers has delivered justice in the only way that they could. Ultimately, the rule of law prevailed. We have more work ahead of us to make our country and our city stronger, safer, and more equitable. But today, the system worked. — Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) April 20, 2021 Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price released the following statement: Today, our justice system did what we needed it to do – deliver justice. We know that this verdict is part of a much larger ongoing conversation, nationally and locally. This is about progress and equity. This is about commitment to intentional change and preserving the dignity of every life. In Fort Worth, the work continues. It is important to recognize that today is an incredibly emotional day for many of our friends and neighbors, especially in our communities of color. Many will find support in community, but if you are seeking emotional support, the My Health My ...
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Keith Ellison: Derek Chauvin Jury Verdict Is not Justice but Accountability
Attorney General of Minnesota Keith Ellison said Tuesday that the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial was not justice. “I would not call today’s verdict justice, however, because justice implies true restoration,” Ellison said. “But it is accountability, which is the first step toward justice.” The jury found Chauvin guilty on all three charges of killing George Floyd; second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Ellison spoke to reporters at a press conference after the verdict. “Now the cause of justice is in your hands,” he said. “And when I say your hands, I mean, the people of the United States.” Ellison thanked everyone who stepped up to protest the death of George Floyd and those who testified against Chauvin in the case. “They stopped and they raised their voices because they knew that what they were seeing was wrong,” he said. He also thanked Americans for peacefully protesting the death of George Floyd and demanding justice. “I urge everyone to honor the legacy of George Floyd by doing so calmly, legally, and peacefully,” he said. ...
Justice Department convenes task force to tackle wave of ransomware attacks
The Justice Department this week convened a new task force to address the mounting ransomware cyberattacks on critical U.S. organizations that have spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ransomware and Digital Extortion Task Force, first reported on Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal, will be made of officials from the agency’s National Security Division, Criminal Division, Civil Division, Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys and FBI. It will be charged with working to ensure the Justice Department prioritizes pursuing cases involving ransomware attacks by increasing training for employees, focusing on intelligence sharing across the agency, improving coordination and leveraging all investigative leads. ADVERTISEMENT The task force will also create and implement a strategy to combat the criminal enterprise involved in ransomware attacks along with strengthening public-private partnerships between the Justice Department and the private sector to address ransomware attacks and furthering collaboration with international partners. Acting Deputy Attorney General John Carlin announced the task force in a memo, obtained by The Hill, sent to task force members on Tuesday. Carlin wrote that the ransomware attacks, which involve attackers holding critical networks hostage and demanding payment, could have “devastating human and financial consequences.” “When criminals target critical infrastructure such as hospitals, utilities, and municipal networks, their activity jeopardizes the safety and health of Americans,” Carlin wrote. “The Task Force will bring all of the Department's resources to bear to bolster our all-tools approach and work with our partners here and abroad to combat the threat of ransomware and digital extortion, and to ensure that we hold those who participate in the propagation of these crimes responsible and accountable,” he added. The task force was convened following a year that saw a huge increase in ...
Rashida Tlaib Calls for a ‘More Fair, Just, and Equitable Society’ After Demanding the End of Policing
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who last week called for the end of policing and incarceration, said Tuesday’s guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial should mark the beginning of a “more fair, just, and equitable society” and vowed to “make all of this a reality” moving forward. Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all charges he faced: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Supporters of the controversial BlackLivesMatter activist group released statements following the news of the guilty verdict, emphasizing that work still needs to be done. “The conviction of Derek Chauvin on all three charges for murdering George Floyd is what accountability looks like in this moment,” Tlaib said in a statement. “Let us be clear, George Floyd — and many other Black and Brown Americans who we have lost to police violence— should be alive today. Gianna’s father should be alive. This is why we must strive for a more just and equitable system,” she continued, stating the verdict should mark the beginning of a “more fair, just, and equitable” society altogether: A system built on the foundation of justice and fairness must mean we never get to a point where Black and Brown communities wait with bated breath for a guilty verdict when there is absolutely no mistake that a life was prematurely taken. A system built on equity means every person in this country has an opportunity to thrive and have what they need to live a full life. This is what today’s verdict should be: the beginning of a more fair, just, and equitable society. As always, I continue to pray for George Floyd’s loved ones. No family should have to go through this ordeal. I will continue to work hard and together with community members and advocates to make all of this a reality: U.S. Rep. @RashidaTlaib : "A system built on the foundation of justice and fairness must mean we never get to a point where Black and Brown ...
Black Caucus: Guilty verdict a ‘catalyst’ for police reform
Emotional Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members on Tuesday cheered a jury’s decision to find former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd, but they said the moment now demands that Congress take the next step: enacting criminal justice reform. “This is just the first step,” Rep. Joyce Beatty Joyce Birdson Beatty Black Caucus: Guilty verdict a 'catalyst' for police reform Democrats debate timing and wisdom of reparations vote Biden's DOJ civil rights nominee faces sharp GOP criticism MORE (D-Ohio), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said moments after the verdict was announced. “We are hopeful that today will be the catalyst to turn the pain, the agony, the justice delays into actions that go far beyond today.” Those actions primarily focus on the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which the House passed on March 3 mostly along party lines. Named for Floyd, a Black man who died last year after Chauvin knelt on his neck, the sweeping police reform package would, among other things, prohibit racial profiling at every level of law enforcement; ban chokeholds and no-knock warrants at the federal level; and overhaul qualified immunity, which provides police officers and other officials protections from lawsuits. ADVERTISEMENT Senate Republicans, however, have dismissed the Democrats’ George Floyd bill as too broad. And it’s unclear whether the two sides can reach an agreement to break a GOP filibuster and overhaul the criminal justice system. CBC leaders said they are undeterred. “Since the trial started on March 29, 63 people have died at the hands of police. In my opinion this is the human rights issue in the United States of America,” said Rep. Karen Bass Karen Ruth Bass Black Caucus: Guilty verdict a 'catalyst' for police reform Bass 'hopeful' on passing police reform: 'Republicans that I am working with are operating in good faith' Sunday shows preview: Russia, ...
