FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kristia Winter, Communications Director
KWinter@council.nyc.gov, 718-629-2900

BROOKLYN, NY — Today, Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn) issued the following statement after the Office of Minneapolis Attorney General Keith Ellison upgraded charges against Officer Derek Chauvin who knelt on George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. He is charged with second-degree murder, in addition to the original charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter with culpable negligence. The other three officers on the scene were charged with aiding and abetting murder for failing to intervene.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“‪The decisions to elevate the charges against George Floyd’s murderer and charge three more officers involved is a welcome relief. It is a testament to the power of a collective voice— but it should not take days of protests to bring these perpetrators to justice.‬

“Furthermore, justice will not truly exist until we commit to reforming a racist system. I am so proud of my community and my people for the work we have done in service of a more equitable future, and I promise to keep working until we get there,” said Council Member Farah N. Louis.

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which is comprised of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino/a, and Asian Caucus.

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