Current and former Utah elected officials have started to weigh in on the guilty verdicts announced Tuesday against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. He was convicted on three counts for murdering George Floyd last year.
Rep. Burgess Owens, R-UT, tweeted that justice was served in Floyd’s death.
“I am praying for peace and healing in Minnesota and across the nation as we the people unite to build bridges for positive change,” Owens tweeted.
Rep. Blake Moore, R-UT, said in a statement that he was grateful for the verdict.
“I sincerely hope that we can use this critical moment to better listen and build respectful dialogue as we seek unity across our nation,” Moore said.
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said in a statement it was clear George Floyd was murdered without remorse and she was pleased with the verdicts.
“Our nation has skilled and committed police officers but also those that operate in their roles with bias and without regard for human life and liberty,” Wilson said. “There needs to be accountability.”
My thoughts are with the friends and family of George Floyd and the nation as a whole. After having the opportunity to observe much of the Derek Chauvin trial, I am pleased with the results of the jury. It’s clear that George Floyd was murdered without remorse.
— Mayor Jenny Wilson (@SLCoMayor) April 20, 2021
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Utah’s former Republican Rep. Mia Love tweeted “Justice was served, but let’s remember the life that was lost. This is justice that no family should ever have to await. Let's all do our part to improve and heal our shared nation.”
Justice was served, but let’s remember the life that was was lost. This is justice that no family should ever have to await.
— Mia Love (@MiaBLove) April 20, 2021
Let's all do our part to improve and heal our shared nation.#JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
State Sen. Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, simply tweeted “Justice.”
The Utah Democratic Party said the verdict was an act of accountability, not justice.
“It is our commitment to the people of Utah and of this nation that we stop the injustices that led to the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, as well as so many others across the nation and closer to home,” the party said in a statement. “The work before us is large, difficult and requires reconciliation with failures of systems that many of us hold close to our hearts.”
Utah Against Police Brutality, along with other activist groups, have planned a protest at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Salt Lake City Public Safety Building.
