Photo Credit: YouTube/ Derek Chauvin
(DULUTH, MN.) - The Minnesota Republican (GOP) Convention held a controversial moment of silence/silent prayer for Derek Chauvin during the event May 30. Chauvin is the former police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd. Floyd, an African American man living in Minneapolis, was killed May 25, 2020, when Chauvin was found to have knelt on his neck for an extended period of time after Floyd was already handcuffed and unable to fight.
The incident was filmed by several witnesses who could hear Floyd begging for assistance and repeating at least 20 times that he couldn’t breathe. At that point, Chauvin told him, “Then stop talking, stop yelling. It takes a heck of a lot of oxygen to talk.” The former officer continued to use force long after Floyd stopped moving and talking, even though he knew Floyd had lost consciousness and had no pulse.
Video Credit: YouTube/ FOX9
The murder resulted in Chauvin being sentenced to 21 years in prison. Chauvin was relocated to a Texas facility to carry out the remainder of his sentence in 2023, after he was stabbed over 20 times at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona, where he was initially housed.
Photo Credit: Brittanica / George Floyd
The action has raised new questions among journalists and concerned citizens. GOP candidates Lisa Demuth, Mike Lindell, and Kendall Qualls all refused to give a straightforward answer when asked if they would consider pardoning Chauvin. Even if a direct answer is eventually given, Minnesota doesn’t allow direct Governor pardons. Pardons are decided by a board that contains the current Governor, Attorney General, and the state’s Supreme Court Chief of Justice.
Many Republicans are distancing themselves from the incident, despite claims it was the result of a “spontaneous motion” by delegates. Most Democrats are outright condemning the act calling it a cruel gesture that tarnishes Floyd’s memory.
To add to or correct any information in this report, please contact me at kristin.h@lead4earth.org.
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