South Florida officials are reacting to the conviction of Derek Chauvin.
In a statement Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony says: “Today, jurors confirmed that Derek Chauvin’s actions caused the death of Mr. George Perry Floyd Jr. For the majority of law enforcement officials in this country, this doesn’t come as a surprise. Chauvin’s conviction is a reminder to all who wear a badge that we are not above the laws which we swore to protect. Chauvin’s lack of empathy and compassion and his brutality set off a firestorm across the world but moved the consciousness of America like never before. I am hopeful that Floyd’s death and the criminal trial will bring about continued positive change, social justice and equitable judicial outcomes for all people. At the Broward Sheriff’s Office, we shall remain a national leader in police reform. We are committed to continuing to strengthen relationships and increase trust between law enforcement and the many diverse communities we serve.”
Miami Police Chief Art Acevedo also is speaking up: "Tonight all Americans should breath a collective sigh of relief as justice has been served in the death of #GeorgeFloyd. Police officers throughout our nation saw the same injustice in his death, that his family & the communities we serve saw. Let’s move forward in peace & unity. Together we should work to make policing better, hold bad police officers accountable, and just as importantly, work to lift up good police officers. #RelationalPolicing"
South Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson tweets:
Representative Ted Deutch also taking to Twitter:
Fellow Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz is relieved.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins was quick to post her reaction.
The Miami Heat says: