The Human Rights Campaign responded to changes and additional charges regarding the George Floyd case, including the upgrading of charges against Officer Derek Chauvin to felony second-degree murder and new charges of aiding and abetting second-degree murder against officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane.

“For nearly nine minutes, Derek Chauvin had his knee pressed into George Floyd’s neck, while two other officers kneeled on Floyd’s body and a fourth stood by and watched,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “These new charges filed by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison are a step toward justice — both for George Floyd and his family. In order to combat racism and police brutality, it is imperative that our justice system hold these officers accountable for their repulsive actions and inactions, but we will not rest until we see convictions and actions to prevent future injustice. We will not rest until police stop taking Black lives away from our communities. We will not rest until we dismantle white supremacy’s chokehold on us all. Every one of us must show up for the Floyd family and all who are fighting for a future free from oppression.”