Jackson County Executive statement on Chauvin trial verdict

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2021 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. has issued the following statement in response to the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial:

“Today, like so many other people of color, I watched the developments unfold in Minnesota in fear. I was in fear that once again we would see a police officer walk free after murdering a black man, simply because the officer uttered the now infamous phrase, “I feared for my life.”  

“Watching the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a man who had sworn to serve and protect him was one of the most painful experiences I have witnessed in my lifetime — a lifetime in which I have personally experienced racism, hate and discrimination. Unfortunately, Mr. Floyd’s tragic murder is one of many that we have seen repeated countless times against people of color — particularly black men. And in each of those times, our community gathered loudly, passionately and peacefully for justice. Today’s verdict is the result of men, women, and children of all ages and races standing together and saying, “Enough is Enough!”