Here’s how Pa. politicians reacted to the Chauvin trial verdict

This developing story will be updated. 

Here’s how Pennsylvania’s state and federal elected officials reacted to the verdict in the trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin who was found guilty on three counts of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

Gov. Tom Wolf:

“George Floyd’s murder was a tragedy. Sadly, it is a tragedy that has been repeated time and time again in our nation.

“Today, we have seen justice for George Floyd. But we must acknowledge that we are living within a broken system.

“We know that one verdict will not, by itself, change the course of our nation. But this verdict was made possible by the bravery and ceaseless advocacy of people who stood up and called for change, and it marks a turning point. Thank you to all of the community leaders and advocates who called for justice and refused to be silenced.

“The work of changing policing, of fighting for racial justice, of ending centuries of discriminatory and traumatic policymaking, is hard and painful. It is also, above all, necessary.

“As we reflect on the memory of George Floyd, and all those who came before and after him, we can celebrate a measure of peace, knowing that justice has been done today. Tomorrow, we must reaffirm our commitment to doing the hard work to address injustice and inequality in every community across the nation.”

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa:

My thoughts are with George Floyd’s family today. True justice will come when Congress passes the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act and other measures to begin to right the wrongs created by systemic racism and injustice.

— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) April 20, 2021

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia:

“Today’s conviction in the trial Derrick Chauvin is a powerful moment of justice for George Floyd, his loved ones, and millions of America who saw this tragedy unfold with their own eyes. It has sadly been a rare occurrence in American history for an abusive and criminal police officer to be held accountable for murdering a Black person, and I hope today’s verdict sends an important message that no one is above the law. But regardless of today’s verdict, our work to dismantle systemic racism at every level of our society – especially the criminal justice system – is far from over. Every day, Black and brown people continue to be unfairly targeted by police and have to worry about whether their lives are at risk simply for existing. We have to come together to acknowledge and fight back against the discrimination and violence being faced by communities of color every day and push for necessary reform in every police department from coast to coast.“

Chauvin verdict: Guilty on 3 charges in George Floyd’s death

State Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia: 

Justice.

Jury finds Derek Chauvin guilty on all charges in George Floyd’s death https://t.co/FeTtvxPs7a via @phillytrib

— SenatorHughesOffice (@SenHughesOffice) April 20, 2021

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman: 

Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd. He was clearly guilty.

The fact that this verdict is surprising shows how rare it is to achieve some sliver of justice in our deeply flawed system.

— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 20, 2021

State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Montgomery: 

As a white woman, I cannot imagine how this verdict feels for the black community. We all needed to see this accountability. We must stand together and continue the fight. #BlackLivesMatter

— Senator Amanda Cappelletti (@SenCappelletti) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-1st District:

The American justice system works. Today, due process was followed, and justice was served.

— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-2nd District:

It’s clearly the just verdict. #chauvinverdict

— US Rep Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-3rd District:

I hope the Floyd family finds some solace in the murder conviction of Derek Chauvin. Still, the work is not finished. The House passed the George Floyd #JusticeInPolicing Act months ago. The Senate must now act to create systematic change!

— Congressman Dwight Evans (@RepDwightEvans) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District:

Derek Chauvin acted without regard for the life — the humanity — of George Floyd.

Thinking of the Floyd family, his brother Philonese, and his daughter Gianna. May God bless them and may this conviction offer a measure of justice — and some measure of peace.#BlackLivesMatter

— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District: 

Today, justice was served. But there have been too many deaths at the hands of law enforcement in the year since George Floyd’s murder forced a national reckoning. We must change policing in the U.S.

My full statement on the verdict: https://t.co/YxSYzMtU2t #BlackLivesMatter

— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th District: 

Today, the jury came back with what I believe was the only acceptable verdict – Derek Chauvin is guilty of murder. My full statement ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2yt2PiFl2U

— Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th District:

Justice has been served, but today’s verdict won’t bring the Floyd family their son, brother, & father back — the work continues.

I urge people of all backgrounds & political beliefs to come together & honor the memory of Mr. Floyd peacefully. Today & every day #BlackLivesMatter

— Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) April 20, 2021

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th District:

“Our pledge of allegiance declares we are one nation under God that guarantees liberty and justice for all, and today justice was served. The defendant received due process and a jury of his peers determined he was guilty of murdering George Floyd. I respect that decision and admire our judicial system for carrying out a fair trial under the rule of law. Now I pray the Floyd family can find peace, and that our nation can move forward to heal.”

State Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia: 

GUILTY on ALL Charges! #ChauvinTrial

— Jordan A. Harris (@RepHarris) April 20, 2021

State Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia: 

Guilty!!!

— Joanna McClinton (@RepMcClinton) April 20, 2021

State Rep. Chris Rabb, D- Philadelphia:

“While this verdict offers us a collective moment of relief, I am nevertheless angered to live in a country where there’s suspense about whether a white law enforcement officer will be convicted for being on camera killing a Black person with impunity.

“Anything less than an overhaul of modern policing is complicity in a system borne of injustice, terror and surveillance, which for Pennsylvania has meant a 321-year track record of law enforcement protecting and serving the political interests and property of the most influential minority of our city and state without any history or commitment to transparency or accountability.

“We are far passed the trite analogy of good or bad apples. We must finally acknowledge that we are dealing with a toxic barrel and commit ourselves to building a new vessel for change that centers on community safety and restorative justice.”

Attorney General Josh Shapiro:

Today’s conviction is one step of accountability on a long road toward justice. The failures of our system haunt our country’s history, from Dred Scott to Rodney King to Trayvon Martin, but we can write a new chapter.

— AG Josh Shapiro (@PAAttorneyGen) April 20, 2021

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney: 

Tonight, our thoughts are with the Floyd family and all Americans who have been victimized because of the color of their skin.

Wherever you are, please join us at 7 p.m. for a citywide prayer for peace, justice, wisdom, and unity.

— Jim #VaxUpPhilly Kenney (@PhillyMayor) April 20, 2021