Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2021)
C AREERS Special Edition Page 12 Avalon Flowers C onTinued from f ronT OR 97204 • 503-796-9250 Black or multiracial people came back with its verdict after about 10 hours of deliberations over two days. Chauvin was found guilty on all charges: second-degree uninten- tional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His face was obscured by a COVID-19 mask, and little reac- tion could be seen beyond his eyes darting around the courtroom. His bail was immediately revoked and he was led away with his hands cuffed behind his back. Sentenc- ing will be in two months. In Portland, city leaders, includ- ing police and other law enforce- ment officials, issued statements in support of the jury’s decision. Mayor Ted Wheeler, who said he hoped Chauvin would be found guilty on all charges, declared a state of emergency in the city in advance of the verdict to address potential protests. Multnomah County District At- torney Mike Schmidt released a statement saying the significance of the guilty verdicts cannot be overstated. “This trial was vastly more than just a police officer on trial for the murder of a man. It was about humanity and sanctity of Black life. It proved excessive force is a weapon,” Schmidt said. • Birthdays • Anniversaries • Funerals • Weddings Cori Stewart-- Owner, Operator Ex Cop found Guilty 520 SW 3rd Ave., Portland, A full service flower experience Open: Mon.-Fri. 7:30am til 5:30pm Saturday 9am til 2pm. Website: avalonflowerspdx.com email: avalonflowers@msn.com We Offer Wire Services Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Ernest J. Hill, Jr. Agent 311 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211 503 286 1103 Fax 503 286 1146 ernie.hill.h5mb@statefarm.com 24 Hour Good Neighbor Service R State Farm R For your light bulbs & parts to repair or make fixtures 503.281.0453 Fax 503.281.3408 3901 N. Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227 Web: www.sunlanlighting.com E-mail: kay@sunlanlighting.com r ib e xPress 625 NE Killingsworth, Portland, OR 97211 Call to Order: 503-919-6921 Rib Express, tasty food and friendly neighborhood atmosphere. Open (hours) Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun: 1pm- 9pm • Closed Tuesday and Wednesday April 21, 2021 Elected on a platform of sup- porting police reforms last May, Schmidt said prosecuting Chau- vin delivered justice in one case, but by itself cannot transform the criminal justice system that took Floyd’s life. “Now, we must take what we know—what we’ve learned from this trial—and find the strength to bring about transformative change in institutions across our country, and to heal and reestablish trust. This moment must serve to re- mind us of the tremendous gulf between where we are and where we truly must be,” Schmidt said. Daryl Turner, executive director of the Portland Police Association, issued a statement declaring that the Minnesota jury had imposed justice in finding Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. “This is the first step in our Na- tion’s healing as we continue to rebuild trust with the communities we serve,” he said. “Nearly a year ago, we wrote that ‘what happened to George Floyd in Minneapolis at the hands of a police officer is revolting, in- comprehensible, and unacceptable. What we saw in that video—Mr. Floyd pleading for his life—should send chills down the spine of every law enforcement officer and citizen in this country. This tragedy is in- consistent with our oath to protect and serve, it is inconsistent with the job entrusted to us by our commu- nities, and it is in complete oppo- sition to everything we are trained to do.’ Those words are still true today,” Turner said. Acting Portland Police Chief Chris Davis agreed with the Min- neapolis Chief of Police who said that Derek Chauvin’s actions were beyond the bounds of the law and what is expected of police officers in the performance of their duties. “The encounter with George Floyd that resulted in his death spurred a critical mass across the country demanding police reform and accountability. All communi- ty members should be treated with fairness, equity, dignity and profes- sionalism no matter their race, Da- vis said. Floyd, 46, died May 25 after being arrested on suspicion of passing a counterfeit $20 bill for a pack of cigarettes at a corner mar- ket. He panicked, pleaded that he was claustrophobic and struggled with police when they tried to put him in a squad car. They put him on the ground instead. The centerpiece of the case was the excruciating bystander video of Floyd gasping repeatedly, “I can’t breathe” and onlookers yell- ing at Chauvin to stop as the of- ficer pressed his knee on or close to Floyd’s neck for what authori- ties say was 9 1/2 minutes. Floyd slowly went silent and limp.
