Rep. Demings Statement on Chauvin Verdict

ORLANDO, FL - Today, U.S. Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) issued the following statement on the verdict in the trial of ex-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Said Rep. Demings, 'Justice has prevailed. But this is not a happy day, because this day never should have happened. George Floyd's life mattered, and but for the tragic actions of Derek Chauvin, Mr. Floyd would be alive. Law enforcement exists to uphold a sacred trust. I am grateful for the hundreds of thousands who remember their oath and do the job well every day. As we heal as a nation we must not rest. We must continue to have a sense of urgency to come together and work together with one purpose in mind: to do better.'Background

Rep. Demings is a former social worker and 27-year police officer. She served as Orlando, Florida's first female Chief of Police from 2007 to 2011.

She is an original cosponsor of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in both the 116th and 117th Congresses. She spoke on the floor in its support.

Last year, following the death of George Floyd, Rep. Demings wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post titled 'My fellow brothers and sisters in blue, what the hell are you doing?'

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