This week, we asked readers their thoughts on the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial, and if they feel the verdict could be a turning point in police/community relations.

 

“I don’t think it’s right. The government has to be more careful now, because what they did to George [Floyd] was not right, because there was discrimination. I think we’re all equal, everyone, White and Black and Spanish, all around the country, so I think the police officers have to care a little bit more about what’s going on, and do what they’re supposed to do. The verdict will help, because they did what they were supposed to do, put him in jail, and that means they care. They’re working and it will prevent a lot of people from dying in the future.”

Josephine Francisco

Parkchester

 

“I’ll tell you the truth. I hate to sound like a rat, but I would have to agree with the jury. I saw the video live. The officer was out of control. He went beyond what he should have. I know Mr Floyd had a record and all that, but that doesn’t give the officer the right to do what he did. It’s going to be a dividing line because of Antifa and Black Lives Matter. They don’t care really. They just want to use an excuse to destroy. The best bet is to try and work with the community, have community policing like we had in the old days, and have officers work with the community, and the community with the police. We also have to protect the good cops from the bad cops.”

Henry Uriarte

Belmont

 

“Guilty! I mean, they came out with the right decision. What they did was right because what he did was wrong. He should have never treated that man… he should have never put his knee on his neck, for nine minutes. That’s abuse! The decision could help police and community relations, yeah. I’m hopeful for that.”

Hector Perez

Norwood

“It was crap, to be honest with you. I mean, in my opinion, it was messed up what they did to the guy, George Floyd. He was an innocent person, and they shouldn’t have done that to him. That’s really wrong. He needs the death penalty for that. Yes, community and police relations can improve. I’m hoping the cops don’t do anything wrong, stupid or anything. It’s messed up what they did to him and it was wrong, because George Floyd is no longer with us on this earth. I think the cops and the community need to work together as a team and make the community better in the streets.”

Calvin Shuler

Olinville

 

“Listen, we need the officers. You know, we need officers because what happens [is] the first thing people say when they see they’re in trouble, ‘I’m going to call the cops.’ There’s good cops and there’s bad cops, but it’s sad that the good cops suffer for the bad cops. But they have to stop with that blue wall of silence. You’re a good cop? You speak out.. All this racial profiling and young Black people dying at the hands of others, and God forbid, I have nephews and some of them are teenagers, and even my husband, I get scared. Oh please! I hope they just get back home every day, you know. When I was a kid, the police used to walk the beats and we used to meet them, and we had fun with them, and they laughed and asked our names and we had fun.”

Patricia Smith

Bedford Park

 

Editor’s Note: Norwood News recently reported on appeals for calm in the Bronx in the lead up to the verdict in the George Floyd murder trial, as well as on the reaction by local elected officials and community leaders.  

On Nov. 20, 2023, The Guardan reported that the U.S. supreme court rejected a conviction appeal from former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd. The decision affirms Chauvin’s conviction for second-degree murder and sentence of more than 20 years in prison. Chauvin is separately appealing his conviction on federal civil rights charges.