Newark Still Mourning For Floyd After Chauvin Verdict: UPDATED

NEWARK, NJ — It's justice served ... but not for George Floyd. Those were the words from U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, one of several Newark residents to comment on Tuesday’s guilty verdict in the murder trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Chauvin, who is white, was charged in the death of Floyd, a Black man who died after Chauvin kneeled on him for more than nine minutes despite Floyd's protests that he couldn't breathe.

Chauvin, 45, was convicted of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. Read More: Derek Chauvin Trial Verdict Announcement (Livestream)

Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests demanding racial justice and police reform, including in Newark.

• See related article: Thousands Flood Downtown Newark For George Floyd Protest
• See related article: 5 Inspiring Glimpses Into Newark's Peaceful George Floyd Protest

"This verdict is justice served—but it is not justice for George Floyd," Booker said Tuesday evening. "True justice would be a country where George Floyd would still be alive today. True justice demands action—it demands change and that we do everything we can to stop this from happening again and again and again."

Other local elected officials offered statements in the wake of Tuesday's verdict.

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. of the 10th District, which includes Newark, said "the jury has spoken and it appears justice has been served."

"But it doesn’t make me feel excited," Payne added. "Instead, it makes me angry that another Black man had to die at the hands of the police. Why does this continue to happen in this country? Why is it that an African-American man can die because he has loose cigarettes or a counterfeit $20 bill?"

"If the laws in this country have been broken, then that person should be arrested, brought to court, and tried by a jury of his peers," Payne said. "But for so many African Americans, it feels like they face their judge, jury and executioner at the scene of the incident. This country needs to reach its greatness. But it won’t reach it until it works for everyone."

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka released the following statement about the verdict:

“On behalf of all of Newark and our residents, we applaud the jury for its decision in the Derek Chauvin case and congratulate Minnesota’s prosecutors for their work in bringing it about. It sends a clear message that people who use the cover of the law to commit murder and violate people’s fundamental rights will be met with justice. Today, Black Lives Mattered, which means all of our humanity matters.”

Meanwhile, Newark NAACP President Deborah Smith Gregory said the reaction of the general community is "one of relief."

"However, the conviction of police officers who kill black people must continue," Gregory continued. "This is just a beginning. When we look at the long history of men and women killed by the police without consequences, clearly the need for reform has not disappeared because of one guilty verdict."

"The Newark NAACP is still pushing for subpoena power for the first Civilian Complaint Review Board, even though the motion was struck down by the NJ Supreme Court," Gregory added. "We will continue to push for subpoena power that demands accountability and drives substantial change."

• See related article: Newark Tries To Bring Battle Over Policing To US Supreme Court

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said that "justice has been served."

"The three guilty verdicts cannot undo the injustice that was done a year ago, but it represents a positive change in our criminal justice system," DiVincenzo said. "It is time for our country to continue to heal, learn to respect and understand our differences, and grow stronger from them."

Kevin Brown, New Jersey director of 32BJ SEIU, a labor union with a strong presence at Newark Airport, said that "justice has prevailed."

"But we must not stop here," Brown continued. "The conviction of Derek Chauvin is a step in the right direction towards ending structural racism in the United States. Let this verdict be a message that we are ready to begin holding police accountable and rebuilding our judicial system."

"It is our hope that this ruling brings solace to George Floyd’s family and to all those that continue mourning senseless deaths," Brown added. "We must not forget Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Michael Brown and all of the victims for whom justice was denied."

Ryan Haygood, president and CEO of the Newark-based New Jersey Institute for Social Justice also offered a statement after Tuesday's verdict. He wrote:

"America let out a breath today because legal justice was served. Even in this case, where we saw with our own eyes a police officer crush the life out of George Floyd, history did not forecast this verdict with any certainty. Yet even as we acknowledge legal justice in this one case, we must remember that real justice would mean that George Floyd was still alive. True justice would mean that Mr. Floyd would have the opportunity to see his children and grandchildren grow up. And so much more. But he won't. Mr. Floyd was killed by Chauvin and a broader system of racist policing in America. A system that killed another Black man, Daunte Wright, just miles away from the courthouse where Chauvin was tried. A system that, before Daunte, also took the lives of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Rayshard Brooks, Breonna Taylor, Atatiana Jefferson, Elijah McClain, Tamir Rice, Walter Scott and so many more."

Haygood continued:

"This is not a system challenged by a few bad apples. We are talking about an orchard of trees that are poisoned at the root – supported by a culture that too often produces poisoned, deadly fruit. This broken policing system is part of a broader American system that is sick with racism. An American system that is built upon a foundation that is cracked by structural racism, cracks that erupt into earthquakes in Black communities every day in the persistent violence by police on Black bodies; the persistent disparities in wealth, health care, education, justice and democracy; and the persistent refusal to meaningfully fund reparative systems and structures that will make these communities whole. All of these things are true right here in New Jersey, where Black people face some of the worst racial disparities in America. So even as we take in today’s verdict, it is past time to build a new system. A new system that prioritizes accountability for law enforcement officials. A new system that looks beyond policing to what community investments Black people need to really be safe. A new system that protects and empowers Black lives in all areas of life. We are working together to build that new system right here in New Jersey."

PLANNING A RALLY

The Newark-based People’s Organization for Progress, which helped to spearhead last year’s rally in the Brick City, announced earlier this week that its members plan to rally and march the day after the verdict is released – regardless of how it turns out.

“Participants will assemble at the Lincoln Monument, 12 Springfield Avenue in Newark,” the group wrote. “If it is a weekday, the protest will take place 4 p.m. If it is on Saturday or Sunday, it will take place at noon.”

People who plan to attend are being asked to wear face masks and practice social distancing.

“The jury is to be commended for finding Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts,” said Lawrence Hamm, the group’s chair. “This was a victory in the battle for justice for George Floyd. However, the struggle to fundamentally change the racist and repressive nature of policing in America continues.”

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