Hollywood and DC weigh in on Chauvin verdict, saying America is systemically racist and police should be abolished

Following the conviction of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin all three counts for the death of George Floyd, celebrities and politicians took to social media to praise the verdict, with some even called for abolishing the police.

During the opening remarks to his show on Tuesday, Stephen Colbert said "there is a sense of relief that at least this one injustice was not compounded with indifference," and added that the verdict "could easily have gone the other way," because of other police brutality cases. "This nation does not have a great track record, but at least in this case, this man faces accountability." He added that the country "still has a problem of over policing and systemic racism."

Filmmaker Michael Moore posted "YES!! In handcuffs! Now on to the work! All of us demand an end to white supremacy and white privilege. How many innocent black and brown ppl are in prison? Free them all! Arrest all police who break the law. Remove all racist cops. End policing as we know it. It doesn’t work."

Justin Timberlake tweeted, "This verdict is just the first step in a long line of injustice against the Black community, often with no consequences. The work is not nearly done. While there are many more families waiting for justice, my heart is with George Floyd’s family right now."  

John Cusak tweeted "Bail revoked guilty on all counts - Derek chauvin is just a start The  George Floyd  police reform  act  that law must pass. The insurrectionist in gop including Donald trump -who are as much of a white supremacist must face justice -"

Kerry Washington tweeted "A guilty #verdict. But this fight for justice is not over. We have a lot of work to do. There is more fight ahead of us. But RIGHT NOW please take CARE of yourself. And let’s take care of each other. Prayers and love to the family of #GeorgeFloyd."

Samantha Bee tweeted "George Floyd’s murder was another horrific reminder of our country’s broken law enforcement system and the damage it has inflicted on the Black community. Today’s verdict, though a beginning, will never be enough, but we hope his family can find peace. #BLACKLIVESMATTER"

Ice Cube tweeted "The jury did the right thing but will the judge do the right thing? Be careful family…the Empire always strikes back."

Senator Bernie Sanders weighed in, saying that the verdict "delivers accountability for Derek Chauvin, but not justice for GeorgeFloyd."

Following the verdict on Tuesday, both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris said George Floyd’s death illustrated America is systemically racist.

Vice President Harris took to the mic first. "A measure of justice isn't the same as equal justice", she began. "This verdict brings us a step closer and the fact is, we still have work to do. We still must reform the system".

"Because of smartphones", Harris continued, "so many Americans have now seen the racial injustice that Black Americans have known for generations; the racial injustice that we have fought for generations; that millions of us, Americans of every race, protested last summer. It is not just a Black American problem, or a people of colour problem; it is a problem for every American. It is keeping us from fulfilling the promise of liberty and justice for all".

"Because of smartphones", Harris continued, "so many Americans have now seen the racial injustice that Black Americans have known for generations; the racial injustice that we have fought for generations; that millions of us, Americans of every race, protested last summer. It is not just a Black American problem, or a people of colour problem; it is a problem for every American. It is keeping us from fulfilling the promise of liberty and justice for all".

President Biden said, "Today, a jury in Minnesota found former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin guilty on all counts in the murder of George Floyd last May. It was a murder in full light of day and it ripped the blinders was off for the whole world to see the systemic racism the vice president just referred to. There’s systemic racism that’s a stain on our nation’s soul."

Biden continued, "The knee on the neck of justice for black Americans, the found fear and trauma, the pain, the exhaustion that black and brown Americans experience every single day. The murder George Floyd, launched a summer of protests we hadn’t seen since the Civil Rights Era in the 60s, protests that unified people of every race and generation in peace and with purpose, to say enough, enough, enough of the senseless killings. Today, today’s verdict is a step forward. I just spoke with the governor of Minnesota who thanked me for the close work with his team."

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) reacted to the Chauvin verdict by thanking George Floyd for dying "for justice."

Rep Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) doubled down on her previous calls to abolish the police.

New York Socialist Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took a moment to share her reaction via livestream.

"So no. This verdict is not justice. Frankly, I don’t even think we call it full accountability because there are multiple officers that were there. It wasn’t just Derek Chauvin. And I also don’t want this moment to be framed as this system working…. working. Because it’s not working. And, that’s what creates a lot of complexity in this moment."