Statement on George Floyd

DC for Democracy condemns the murder of George Floyd and stands in solidarity with all those protesting his murder at the hands of police. George Floyd was killed last Monday in Minneapolis when a police officer, Derek Chauvin, pinned him to the ground and knelt on his neck for over eight minutes, despite Floyd crying out that he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s name has now been added to an unacceptably long list of Black people who have been killed by police in the US.

Protests against the killing of George Floyd began in Minneapolis earlier this week, but have now begun in numerous cities, including Washington, DC. The immense pressure from activists led to the arrest of Chauvin on Friday, who has been charged with murder. The other three officers involved in Floyd’s death have been fired from the Minneapolis Police Department but have not been charged with any crimes.

As protests continue, activists are demanding that the three other officers also be arrested. DC for Democracy stands alongside protestors in this demand, as well as broader demands for an end to police brutality against Black people. We continue to support dramatic changes to the practices of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), including broader use of community policing, demilitarizing the DC Police Force, greater accountability, and minimal use of force against DC residents.

We do not agree with Donald Trump’s decision to call in the DC National Guard on Saturday evening to quell the protests, and we condemn the continued violent repression of protestors on the part of police and the National Guard in DC, Minneapolis, New York, and other cities. 

DC for Democracy mourns the loss of George Floyd and applauds the bravery and hard work of protestors here in DC and across the country. We applaud the work of Black Lives Matter (BLM) DC, Stop Police Terror Project (SPTP) DC, and other groups that have led the organizing efforts here in DC. We encourage our members to follow these groups on social media and subscribe to their listservs, where you can learn more about how to join the protests. Here are some additional ways to get involved:

Donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, BLM-DC, SPTP-DC or another organization supporting protestors

• Call on Minneapolis officials to file charges against the three other police officers involved in Floyd’s murder:

• Governor Tim Waltz: (651) 201-3400

• Mayor Jacob Frey: (612) 673-2100

• County Attorney Mike Freeman: (612) 348-5550

If you are choosing to join the protests, please stay safe!