a Joint statement

The Ohio Women’s Alliance and The Ohio Women’s Alliance Action Fund issue this statement with a heavy heart upon the conclusion of the Derek Chauvin Trial. We acknowledge the verdict and uplift and honor George Floyd’s life because he should still be alive today. We center his loved ones and children as they must live out their lives without him.

This verdict results from years of Black women putting their bodies and their lives on the line, but this is not a time for celebration. Last summer, we all watched in horror at the action of Officer Chauvin while our hearts collectively broke as we heard George’s pleas for help. Although we are an abolitionist organization, we support the 12 jurors for standing on the right side of history in their “guilty” verdict of Officer Derek Chauvin. The verdict cannot bring back George Floyd, but we understand the importance of knocking down all white supremacy walls. We must hold accountable all forms of anti-Blackness, including state-sanctioned violence. 

We acknowledge there is no perfect statement for such atrocities. There is no right or wrong to process the pain, anxiety, and anger because Black folxs are still being murdered for living and taking up space in this country. Like Dr. King said in the Conclusion of the Selma to Montgomery March, “our feet might be tired, but our souls are rested.” We still have a long road to eliminating a broken system that doesn’t value the dignity and humanity of all people. During this very trial, more Black people have been murdered at the hands of the state, including in Ohio, as we write this statement. Although the journey is long and our feet are tired, nothing will stop us from achieving complete liberation.