Trial of Derek Chauvin in the United States: the fear of an acquittal
Demonstrators protest in Minneapolis ahead of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer accused of killing George Floyd, March 8, 2021. AFP - KEREM YUCEL
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The trial of Derek Chauvin, which opened on March 8 in Minneapolis, United States, resumes on Tuesday.
Despite a damning video that has gone around the world showing this white cop suffocating George Floyd with his knee for nearly nine minutes, many in Minneapolis fear he will be acquitted.
Publicity
Read more
With our special correspondent in Minneapolis,
É
ric de Salve
They came to the court in Minneapolis
at the opening of the trial of Derek Chauvin
to remember in good memory the justice in which most of these demonstrators have lost confidence.
Michael, a mask of the
Black Lives Matter
movement
on his face, fears an acquittal by the police officer responsible for the death of George Floyd.
“
I don't expect justice to be served
,” he says.
When it comes to black people, our justice system is never consistent.
In this case, Derek Chauvin will get away with it.
Because that's almost always how it is in the United States
”.
For this highly sensitive trial, the Minneapolis court where Derek Chauvin is tried has been transformed into an entrenched camp.
Huge iron gates and barbed wire have been installed all around the building.
This is a very bad signal for these demonstrators, Judge Stéphanie, an anti-racist activist.
“
It's ridiculous
,” she says.
It is pointless.
And that's a way of making us Minneapolis people look like criminals when the criminal is whoever is in this building.
It's Derek Chauvin
”.
The verdict is expected at the end of April.
There was general agreement that an acquittal would cause the protests to return.
► See also: United States: high-risk start of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who killed George Floyd
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
United States
Justice
Racism
On the same subject
FOCUS
United States: High-risk start of trial of Derek Chauvin, the policeman who killed George Floyd
Americas Press Review
In the News: an impartial jury for the Chauvin trial in the United States?
Death of George Floyd: first appearance of Derek Chauvin in court