The country continues to brace itself for a verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin. In preparation of the verdict, protesters have taken to the streets, schools have decided to cut off in-person learning and journalists have traveled to cover the proceedings. Most importantly, demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest the continued killing of unarmed Black people by law enforcement officers. Demonstrations have picked up over the last week following the death of Daunte Wright in nearby Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. While some politicians and news reporters have railed against these demonstrations, other politicians have supported citizens as they express their freedom of speech.
“I’m going to fight with all of the people who stand for justice,” Rep. Maxine Waters said.
“We’ve got to get justice in this country and we cannot allow these killings to continue.”
Regardless of what the verdict is, Waters believes that organizers and protesters should continue to push the envelope and call for change. Whether it be protests, sit-ins or marches, Waters wants demonstrators to continue moving the conversation forward.
“We’ve got to stay on the street and we’ve got to get more active, we’ve got to get more confrontational. We’ve got to make sure that they know that we mean business," she continued.
Chauvin currently faces one count of second-degree murder, one count of second-degree manslaughter and one count of third-degree manslaughter. According to multiple legal experts, it is unlikely that Chauvin will be acquitted of all three charges. In the event that Chauvin does avoid all three criminal charges, Waters warns protesters that they "cannot go away."
“I hope we’re going to get a verdict that will say guilty, guilty, guilty,” she told reporters.
“And if we don’t, we cannot go away.”
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