Dear John, 

Yesterday, Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder for the death of George Floyd, who died struggling to breathe under the knee of this officer. The verdict was a rare moment of justice.

But #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd doesn't fill the gaping hole in the hearts of his children, mother, brothers, sisters, partner and friends. Nor does it mean that the criminal justice system has been reformed.

For far too long, BIPOC communities, particularly Black people, have suffered at the hands of law enforcement. The false perception of police as the only enforcers of public safety persists today, despite the continued loss of lives in our communities, including Duante Wright, Adam Toledo, Ma'Khia Bryant, and so many others since Chauvin’s trial began.

We all want to feel truly safe, particularly in our communities, in our homes and on the streets. Real community safety means that people can live their lives freely without fear of anyone, especially the police, putting their lives or health at risk. Real safety means that we have access to the economic, educational, and public health resources needed to create healthy and thriving communities. 

This verdict is important but it is not true justice. That’s why the NYIC will continue to fight for our collective freedom by demanding that our leaders invest in people, not police. We will once more demand that NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council divest at least $1 billion from the NYPD and invest in supportive services for communities. We will continue to demand that New York State prohibit all local law enforcement and state agencies from conspiring with ICE or participating in its cruelty. Only by continuing to insist on systemic solutions to our public safety crisis will our children, families and communities have a chance to be truly safe and free. 

In solidarity,  
Murad Awawdeh & Rovika Rajkishun
Interim Co-Executive Directors