United Methodist Women Today Applauded the Guilty Verdict of Former Police Officer Derek Chauvin

Group Urged Nationwide Change in Culture of Policing to Keep Communities Safe

NEW YORK – United Methodist Women, the nation’s largest denominational organization for women, today applauded the guilty on all counts verdict in the case against Derek Chauvin, the officer who killed George Floyd in the summer of 2020.

United Methodist Women CEO Harriett Jane Olson issued the following statement:

“We are relieved to see some measure of justice for George Floyd’s family. At the same time, we believe such a basic measure of police accountability should not be exceptional or extraordinary. To make true progress and ensure that people of color, especially Black people, are safe from a culture of policing that too often victimizes them, there must be a transformation in how law enforcement engages communities of color. This must happen from coast to coast, regardless of whether it is a high-profile or little-known case of officer-involved shooting. As people of faith, we celebrate even as we continue our advocacy work. May justice roll down like waters, today and in days to come.”

United Methodist Women is the women’s mission organization within the United Methodist Church focused on the needs of women, children, and youth for more than 150 years.

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Contact: Yvette Moore, ymoore@unitedmethodistwomen.org