Danville Mayor Rickey Williams Jr. says that he hopes the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial Tuesday afternoon will be an example of justice throughout the country.
Williams spoke briefly on the subject during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. He says that the outcome shouldn’t be the last in courts in the country.
“I just pray that it serves as an example to everyone, everywhere, that justice must proclaim, and when people abuse their power–whether it be me, a police officer, whoever it is–that they shall be held accountable in America,” Williams says.
A jury convicted Chauvin of three counts including second-degree murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day last year in Minneapolis. He faces up to 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder conviction, although the sentencing will not take place until two months from now.
Protests nationwide over Floyd’s death reached Danville six days after his death. Organizers marched through downtown Danville and held a rally in front of the Public Safety Building. Mayor Williams spoke at the rally. A march was also held Urbana the following day.
The mayor also says that people should be upset whenever there is injustice against anyone, but they should also celebrate when there is justice for someone.
