(MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 6/25/21) – The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) today expressed disappointment at the 22.5-year sentence for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin’s murder of George Floyd.
SEE: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/derek-chauvin-be-sentenced-murder-death-george-floyd-n1272332
“Today’s disappointing sentence is a reminder that our justice system still treats police officers differently. This sentence signals tocriminals who torture and kill a human being for nine minutes and twenty-nine seconds that they can receive a sentence that does not reflect the heinousness of the crime if they wear a badge,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “This is a sad day in America and a sad day for the world as justice was once again denied.”
CAIR-MN took part in a news conference in response to the verdict livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/CAIR.Minnesota/
“Derek Chauvin showed a callous disregard for George Floyd’s life and humanity when he pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for nearly ten minutes. As a society, we must hold police officers to a higher standard for how they treat civilians in their care. Judge Cahill should have given Chauvin a heftier sentence for the heinous crime that he committed,” said Nekima Levy Armstrong, civil rights attorney and founder of the Racial Justice Network.
“Many members of our community remain traumatized and feel terrorized after witnessing Derek Chauvin choke the life out of George Floyd with his knee and body weight. Chauvin’s sentence was far too lenient in light of the crime that he committed. He should be spending decades behind bars pondering what it means for Black lives to matter in our society, instead of being given a slap on the wrist,” said Chauntyll Allen, founder of Black Lives Matter Twin Cities.
Earlier this year, CAIR-MN welcomed Chauvin’s conviction on all counts for the killing of George Floyd.
SEE: CAIR-MN Welcomes Guilty Verdict in Trial of Derek Chauvin
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein,612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; CAIR-MN Community Advocacy Manager Zaynab Mohamed, 612-229-5585, Zmohamed@cair.com