Yesterday, the jury in Minneapolis reached a verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin.  The jury rightly found that Mr. George Floyd, a beloved father, son, sibling, partner and community member, was murdered.  We stand with the Minneapolis community and with Americans from across political and racial identities in recognizing the accountability offered by the jury – even as we recognize that this verdict does not bring back George Floyd. We recognize and bear witness to the grief of the communities and families who have lost Black and brown men, women and children to police violence.

For far too long we have watched and permitted violence in policing in our country.  Racism and white supremacy are inextricably linked to state-sponsored violence.  We cannot distance ourselves from these acts because policing reflects the culture of our nation and the will of its citizens.  It is up to us to reimagine public safety and to insist on policy and institutional changes needed to make that imagining a reality.

The Network does not sit in judgment in the absence of our own reckoning with our relationship to racism and white supremacy culture. The Network has endeavored, though imperfectly, to address this issue within our organization and our movement.  In June of 2020, the Vermont Network signed onto this “Moment of Truth” letter.  This letter offers a recognition by the movement to end gender-based violence of our own complicity with policies and laws that have contributed to mass incarceration and other harms.  In the letter we committed to five actions including to reconcile our complicity with systems and approaches that are causing harm. These actions are:

• Reframe the idea of public safety to promote community-based practices and encourage safety, support and accountability.
• Remove police from schools and support educational environments that are safe and equitable
• Decriminalize survival.
• Provide safe housing for everyone.
• Invest in community care and shift efforts, resourcing and responsibility for care into local communities and away from policing.

Here in Vermont, police leaders are taking important first steps.  Investment in fair and impartial policing, policy changes discouraging the use of lethal force, and centering the voices of Black and brown Vermonters are all important. Still, harm continues to happen on a daily basis. We must take bold and expedient steps to implement transformational changes.

George Floyd did not deserve to be killed. Neither did Tamir Rice, Sandra Bland, Daunte Wright, Rayshard Brooks, Breonna Taylor, Stephan Clark, Philando Castile and far too many others.  Yesterday in Minneapolis a jury chose accountability.  We stand with those jury members and with George Floyd and his family.

Karen Tronsgard-Scott