Justice For George Floyd: Milwaukeeans React To Chauvin Sentence

MILWAUKEE, WI — Local activists and lawmakers had mixed feelings about the sentencing of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin, who got 22 years and six months in prison for the murder of George Floyd. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill announced the sentence Friday.

Chauvin, 45, was convicted in April of second- and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd's death. Cahill said that 10 years were added to Chauvin's sentence because of the cruelty he showed to Floyd. Chauvin was given 199 days credit.

See also: Derek Chauvin Gets 22.5 Years For Murder Of George Floyd

In Milwaukee, local activists and lawmakers shared their thoughts about the sentence.

“It’s not the maximum sentence many of us had hoped for, but it is a step forward in the fight for real accountability,” said state Rep. David Bowen (D), who represents District 10.

The sentencing is a step forward toward a future “where the system holds everyone accountable, and true justice reigns,” he added.

State Sen. Chris Larson (D) also said the sentence was a step in the right direction despite not being the maximum penalty. “However, this step does not do justice to the significant pain his death left on our country, nor does it do justice to the lingering effects of structural racism,” he added.

“We must fight to dismantle systemic racism and all systems of oppression in this nation that allow white supremacy to thrive,” he said.

“This isn’t justice by no means, when we think of real justice we see George Floyd still being here with his family and loved ones,” said The People’s Revolution, a Milwaukee activist group, in a statement.

“Real justice is Black men and women not having to live in fear when engaging with police officers,” the group said.

The group will keep working until it sees policy change and further accountability in law enforcement as well as the justice system as a whole, it said.

Vaun Mayes, the founder of Community Task Force MKE, said that he wasn’t surprised that Chauvin didn’t receive the maximum penalty.

“We got to keep pushing, and we can’t stay stuck on that,” Mayes said. “In my opinion, it is what it is. He got it.”