Derek Chauvin trial in Minneapolis: Reopening old wounds.

25 May 2020 is definitely considered a significant date in the Black community’s struggle against racism. On this fateful day, George Floyd, a 46-year-old man was killed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while being arrested for allegedly using a counterfeit bill. During the arrest, Derek Chauvin, a white police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department, knelt on Floyd's neck for approximately 9 minutes and 30 seconds which eventually led to the tragic and wrongful death of another black man. Derek Chauvin has been charged with third-degree murder and the lesser included offence of second-degree manslaughter, making him the first white police officer to be charged with the death of a black man in Minnesota.

The death of George Floyd spawned numerous protests against police racism, police brutality and police accountability in almost all states of The United States and in many countries across the globe. Approximately 15 to 26 million people participated in the ‘Black Lives Matter' protest of 2020.

As Chauvin was put on trial on March 29, 2021, so was America. The first day of the trial began with the prosecution and defence teams giving opening statements and calling witnesses. Prosecutor Jerry Blackwell started opening statements saying that "Mr Chauvin betrayed his badge" while defence attorney Eric Nelson said that "Chauvin did exactly what he had been trained to do." Body camera footage from the four officers involved was entered into evidence and shown at trial. Furthermore, a 911 dispatcher who received the call about Floyd using a counterfeit bill as well as two paramedics who responded to Floyd’s death and have testified. Both paramedics stated that when they arrived at the scene, they did not see signs of breathing or movement by Floyd; one of them believed Floyd was already dead by that point.

As the trial goes on, all eyes are on Minnesota. The trial has reopened old wounds as millions of hopeful hearts stand in solidarity with Floyd’s family. The verdict of the trial will ultimately decide the fate of the Black community and whether or not they can feel safe within their own country. This a chance for America to show the black community that they are cared for and truly valued. This is a chance for America to show exactly what they represent: giving everybody liberty and justice for all.

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