A slew of left-wing politicians and activists continue to push the rhetoric that Derek Chauvin’s sentence does not show justice, but only “accountability.”
Chauvin was sentenced to 22½ years in prison for the murder of George Floyd. In April, a jury found him guilty on all charges, which included second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.
Following his sentencing Friday, Rep. Ilhan Omar released a statement implying that the U.S. justice system does not promote “true justice.”
“This is another step on the path to accountability. But punishment for past crimes is not true justice,” Omar said.
Justice will happen when the nation addresses “the systems of oppression that create the conditions for injustice” and when it understands that police officers “repeatedly take the lives of young black and brown people,” according to Omar.
“True justice will require us to ask why we continue to spend billions on increasingly militarized police departments, while basic needs like healthcare, housing and hunger are neglected,” Omar continued.
Attorney General Keith Ellison made a similar comment in a press conference following the sentencing Friday, saying this is “not justice, but it is another moment of real accountability on the road to justice.”
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan wrote on Twitter that Chauvin’s sentencing is an “important step toward justice” and that “true justice” will be achieved when “all can be safe and thrive” in Minnesota.
Attorney Ben Crump, the Floyd family’s lawyer, said the sentence is “one step closer to healing by delivering closure and accountability.”
Crump also expressed his support for a conviction on federal charges for Chauvin and the other three officers involved, saying that would “represent important additional steps toward justice.”
Reportedly, Chauvin may be closing in on a plea deal with federal prosecutors, which he likely referred to during his remarks to the Floyd family during his sentencing.
Rose Williams
Rose Williams is an assistant editor for Alpha News.
