The interwebs are buzzing after former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder in the death of unarmed Black man George Floyd.
Floyd, an African-American Minneapolis native, died on 25 May 2020 after Chauvin knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes during his arrest over an allegedly counterfeit $20 bill.
His murder in police custody sparked global Black Lives Matter protests.
On Tuesday (20.04.21), Chauvin – who was fired from the Minneapolis police after the incident – was found guilty of manslaughter, second-degree murder, and third-degree murder over George’s death, in what was a historic moment for the US judicial system and the fight for racial equality.
Following the verdict, celebrities all over the world took to social media to praise this historic verdict.
Former ‘Scandal’ actress Kerry Washington has insisted there is still “a lot of work to do” when it comes to the continued push for justice.
She wrote on social media: “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”
Kerry wasn’t the only star to share her thoughts on Chauvin’s guilty verdict – which could see him spend several decades in prison – as the likes of Mariah Carey and Ciara also took to social media to weigh in on the situation.
READ: Black Lives Matter: Protests Over George Floyd’s Death Leads To A Social Media Blackout
Mariah tweeted: “Hallelujah!!!!!!!! A beginning … a small grain of hope for our future.”
Whilst Ciara wrote: “Thank you Jesus! I’m in tears. May your legacy live on forever. Let’s all remain encouraged as we go on this journey TOGETHER. Never Forgetting This Day.”
‘WAP’ hitmaker Cardi B quoted a tweet about the verdict and simply added: “History”, and Katy Perry tweeted: “Rest in JUSTICE George Floyd”.
Stephen Colbert, James Corden and Jimmy Fallon were among the late night television hosts to address this verdict.
Sentencing will be made in eight weeks. Second-degree murder can land someone 40 years in prison, though it can be reduced if they do not already hold a criminal record.
READ: Kanye West Donates Ksh200M To Help George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery And Breonna Taylor’s Families
