Statement on Guilty Verdict of Police Officer Derek Chauvin in the Murder of George Floyd

By California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski

While the California labor movement wholeheartedly agrees with today’s verdict convicting police officer Derek Chauvin of murdering George Floyd, justice remains elusive. Real justice would have meant Floyd would be alive, home with his family this afternoon. Instead, like so many other Black and Brown people before and after him, he was murdered by police who should have protected him.

The fact is, we have a long way to go to achieving racial justice and ending police violence in America. This verdict is a step to holding police accountable but it is only one step in a long journey forward. Racism is endemic to this country. To achieve real justice, the labor movement will redouble our efforts to partner with social justice allies in the fight against the systemic racism that is so devastating to Black, Latino and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders communities.