As everyone reacts to the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin case, many public figures and politicians are offering their thoughts on the outcome and whether this case is emblematic of a changing tide in the U.S. justice system. While some offered clear and concise messages about the work that lay ahead, ensuring Chauvin receives a stiff sentence and other officers moving forward are held accountable, Nancy Pelosi provided a rather bizarre accounting of what this case meant for justice and George Floyd's active role in it.
"Thank you, George Floyd, for sacrificing your life for justice. For being there to call out to your mom, how heartbreaking was that, call out for you mom, 'I can't breathe,'" Pelosi said during a press conference in conjunction with the Congressional Black Caucus. "But because of you and because of thousands, millions of people around the world who came out for justice, your name will always be synonymous with justice."
Those comments were met with immediate backlash as many interpreted the Speaker of the House to be insinuating George Floyd willingly laid his life on the line for justice. Pelosi seemingly tried to clarify her statement in a follow-up tweet on Tuesday evening:
"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."
Source: twitter.com
