Queens leaders call for police reform, honor Black NYers killed by cops in wake of Chauvin verdict

Borough President donovan RIchards hosted a press conference Tuesday in response to the Derek Chauvin indictment. Photo by Walter Karling

By Rachel Vick 

A group of Queens’ elected officials convened at Borough Hall Wednesday to call for systemic change and to honor the Black Americans killed at the hands of law enforcement, a day after an ex-cop was convicted of murdering George Floyd in Minnesota.

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards reminded attendees that the fight for justice did not start with the murder of George Floyd and that it does not end with indictment of Derek Chauvin. He took a moment to remember Sean Bell and the acquittal of the officers who shot him.

“We’ve always felt that our lives did not matter — every time we lost [a case], and there was no justice served we felt devalued,” Richards said. “Especially by those meant to protect and serve.”

Richards called for deeper investment in low-income areas and an active commitment from elected officials to root out excessive force, pass laws to protect people of color and ensure accountability for police violence. 

“When we say Black lives matter it shouldn’t be viewed as an attack on any other community  or an attack on law enforcement,” he added.  “It should be viewed  as a truth which we can  all  stand firmly on but this only happens when we practice police accountability.” 

Councilmember Adrienne Adams, chair of the Committee on Public Safety, said she felt hopeful for a future where “officers who harm injure or kill, often with impunity, will be held liable for their actions.”

“Finally, we’re moving in the right direction when it comes to accountability, but let's not get it twisted,” she said. “This is not true justice.”

District Attorney Melinda Katz, State Sen. John Liu, Assemblymembers Khaleel Anderson, Jennifer Rajkumar and David Weprin, and Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer joined the call to action and echoed the idea that true justice goes beyond accountability . 

After hearing the verdict, Liu said his joy quickly gave way to a “deep sadness.” 

“Why would anyone in this country feel so happy about the verdict?” Liu said.  “That itself is a pretty sad thing. It reminds us it isn’t true justice that was served yesterday, that our work is not over.”