The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi‘s comments after the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has caused backlash from the public. Pelosi thanked George Floyd for sacrificing his life for the justice. This statement quickly infuriarted the public and they slammed the House Speaker for her tone deaf statement.
Pelosi shared her opinion following the conviction during an event at the Congressional Black Caucus on Capitol Hill. She, however, mentioned how heartbreaking it was for him to call his mom during the ordeal. Pelosi referenced how George Floyd called his mother and told the police officer that he can’t breath on May 25, 2020. The House Speaker further added that his name will always be synonym with the justice.
George Floyd should be alive today. His family’s calls for justice for his murder were heard around the world. He did not die in vain. We must make sure other families don't suffer the same racism, violence & pain, and we must enact the George Floyd #JusticeInPolicing Act. https://t.co/tWln9NRg1g
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) April 20, 2021
The comment sparked outrages online and slammed the House Speaker for treating Floyd as the sacrificial lamb for justice and police reform. One person tweeted that Floyd didn’t wished to have such fate, rather his life was forcibly taken away from his loved ones. Randi Mayem, a popular screenwriter mentioned that Floyd wasn’t a soldier who died in a battle but a American citizen, who was murdered by a cop.
People slammed Pelosi’s take on conviction was awful.
Derek Chauvin held his knee on the neck of the late 46-year-old George Floyd in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd reportedly told the officer that he was striggling to breath, but Chauvin continued his stress for about 8 minutes until Floyd lost his consicousness. George Floyd lost his life on the spot after suffering from cardiopulmonary arrest due to the knee-to-neck restraint.
The death triggered worldwide outrage and protests around the major cities in the world. A jury convicted Chauvin of manslaughter and murder in the harrowing seath of George Floyd. Pelosi later tweeted and addressed her comments on the conviction. However, she didn’t apologised for her remarks but mentioned that Floyd should be alive and his death didn’t go in vain. She also urged to enact the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Chauvin is currentlya awaiting his sentence hearing on June 16, 2021. He will be held in solitary confinement with constant 23 hours a day watch at Oak Park Heights.