Black community in SWFL reacts to Chauvin being found guilty on all charges

Jurors decided the fate of former police officer Derek Chauvin. Now, Chauvin has been convicted of second-degree and third-degree murder as well as second-degree manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

This is a decision that could change Black Americans’ views of the criminal justice system.

Lee County’s NAACP president, James Muwakkil, spoke to WINK News immediately after the judge read the jury’s verdict. The first word he said was “justice.”

He says he can finally say that we’re seeing progress for Black Americans and all Americans. To him, it’s an affirmation that the country is headed in the right direction.

“That we are moving in the right direction, that equal protection under the law finally does apply to blacks as it should,” Muwakkil said.

W. Earl Sparrow Jr. is a community advocate. “The precedent has been set. You cannot do as you please with black bodies. You cannot go over and beyond the recommendations of your department without consequences,” said Sparrow.

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