Statement in response to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict
Portland, Oregon—Today, Disability Rights Oregon Executive Director Jake Cornett issued the following statement in response to the Derek Chauvin guilty verdict.
Statement from Jake Cornett, Executive Director, Disability Rights Oregon
Today’s guilty verdict of murder for former police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd is a step forward in the struggle for justice and is a rare case of police accountability. But it won’t bring back George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, and countless other Black lives violently taken by police. In a truly just society, no person would be killed while in police custody and accountability would be commonplace.
We stand in solidarity with our family, friends, clients, and colleagues of color as we work to end police killings, hold police accountable, and reform the criminal justice system. As we work to end ableism, we are also committed to continuing to root out white supremacy, racism, and the very idea that any individual or group has the right to dominate others.
Regardless of how we look, how we worship, where we come from, who we love, or whether we have a disability, each of us possesses intrinsic human value that must be respected.
About
Disability Rights Oregon
Disability Rights Oregon upholds the civil rights of people with disabilities to live, work, and engage in the community. The nonprofit works to transform systems, policies, and practices to give more people the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more than 40 years, the organization has served as Oregon’s Protection & Advocacy system.
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