St. Paul, MN – State Representative Esther Agbaje (DFL – Minneapolis) issued the following statement in response to the Derek Chauvin verdict:
“Today Derek Chauvin was found guilty. It is good to see that Mr. Chauvin will be held accountable for murdering George Floyd. My heart continues to go out to Mr. Floyd's family.
“This result is promising, but there is still much more work to do. True justice will be when police no longer kill Black people. A safe Minnesota means ending the obstruction to police accountability measures so that we transform how and when police engage with community members. We must lead the transformation to community-led public safety that includes investment in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our mental and physical health and wellness.
“Justice will come when we ensure that our BIPOC communities have access to and training for jobs that pay a living wage. Justice will come when we ensure that our communities have the access to quality healthcare. Justice will come when we increase resources in our communities for truly affordable housing, so everyone has a place to call home.
“I will keep working to ensure that Black people in Minnesota receive justice. Black lives matter.”