Scores of Haitian-Americans rejoiced after Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts for the murder of George Floyd, with many saying that Black people shouldn’t have to fight so hard for justice after a Black person is murdered.
“It shouldn’t happen this way but unfortunately, it happened that way,” said Kenny Altidor, a Brooklyn-based artist who painted a mural of Floyd. “It’s not right, it’s not fair.”
“Going forward, I hope we don’t have to protest or wait for another George Floyd case for us to get justice when something happens,” Altidor added.
Chauvin, who is white, was found guilty by a Minneapolis jury of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the killing of Floyd, who is Black. Last May, Chauvin, then a Minneapolis police officer, pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds, killing the father of one.
Mass demonstrations worldwide followed, with people demanding justice for Floyd’s murder. Altidor said there didn’t need to be such a severe reaction to bring about justice.
Other Haitian-Americans shared the same thought on social media:
Chauvin being found guilty won’t end police brutality but it was a positive note for the Black community’s fight against police brutality, many have said.
“I don’t think it’s going to stop police brutality after today. The system needs to be changed,” Altidor said. “But it was a step into the right direction. George Floyd couldn’t breathe but now Black people have another door open for them to breathe a little bit.”