'We Are Able To Breathe Again': Floyd Family Reacts To Verdict

MINNEAPOLIS — Friends and family of George Floyd celebrated Tuesday after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder in Floyd's death.

"I feel relieved today that I finally have the opportunity to hopefully get some sleep," Philonise Floyd, George Floyd's brother, said at a news conference.

"Today, we are able to breathe again."

Through tears, Philonise called Emmett Till, "The first George Floyd." Till was brutally lynched in 1955, and killing helped spark the civil rights movement in the United States.

"History is here, this is monumental," said Terrence Floyd. "My family is a family that will not back down from prayer and I believe because of prayer we got the verdict we wanted."

"We said God, we need justice, we need it now, and he answered," Terrence added. "What a day to be a Floyd."

"I'm overwhelmed with joy. But I do want to start by saying thank you," Brandon Williams, George Floyd's nephew, said.

"Thank you to all you guys advocating, protesting in the middle of a pandemic, putting your lives and safety on the line. We appreciate that."

Though while celebrating through "tears of joy," the family emphasized that the fight for justice and equality is far from over and vowed to continue to that fight for others.

Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death on Memorial Day 2020.

After the verdict was read, Chauvin was immediately taken out of the courtroom in handcuffs as his defense attorney, Eric Nelson, watched. Chauvin's bail was revoked and he was taken into the custody of the Hennepin County sheriff.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the nation Tuesday evening after Chauvin's conviction.

"Today we feel a sigh of relief," Harris said. "Still, it cannot take away the pain. A measure of justice is not the same as equal justice. This verdict brings us a step closer. But still, we have work to do."

"America has a long history of systemic racism," Harris added. "Black Americans and black men, in particular, have been treated less than human. Black men are fathers, brothers, uncles, sons, grandfathers, and neighbors. Their lives must be valued."

Biden recalled how Floyd's daughter told him at his funeral that "Daddy changed the world." In a phone call after the verdict, Biden says he told her that "Daddy did change the world."

Only four police officers have ever been charged in Minnesota for murder, reports the Star Tribune. Three of those four cases occurred in the last five years.

Former St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez was charged and later acquitted in the fatal 2016 shooting of Philando Castile at a traffic stop in a St. Paul suburb.

Former Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor was convicted of murder in the 2017 deadly shooting of Justine Ruszczyk Damond outside her south Minneapolis home.

Chauvin is the first white police officer convicted of killing a Black man in Minnesota.

Read more: Jury Finds Derek Chauvin Guilty On All Counts In Death Of Floyd