Lewis Hamilton reacts to Derek Chauvin guilty verdict

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton reacts to Chauvin guilty verdict

Hamilton labels the outcome "a sombre victory"

Sam Hall

Wednesday 21 April 2021 10:57

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Lewis Hamilton has described the guilty verdict reached against former police officer Derek Chauvin as a "sombre victory" for the family of George Floyd.

On Tuesday evening, Chauvin was found guilty on three charges - second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck for over nine minutes in May last year and the killing sparked a number of anti-racism protests around the world.

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Hamilton, the only black driver on the F1 grid, led calls for change in both motorsport and in the wider community, lending his vocal support to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Reacting to the verdict on social media, Hamilton said: "JUSTICE for George!

"The emotions I feel right now are hard to describe. Derek Chauvin has been found guilty. This is the first time that a white officer has been convicted for killing a black man in Minnesota. This is monumental, George’s death is not in vain. The result of the Derek Chauvin trial today is the right one. Convicting him of all three charges marks a new dawn in the fight for racial justice.

"This trial was an opportunity for the justice system to hold Derek Chauvin accountable for his actions when he took the life of George Floyd. We can now breathe a collective sigh of relief that the right decision has been met and that justice has been served.

JUSTICE for George! The emotions I feel right now are hard to describe. Derek Chauvin has been found guilty. This is the first time that a white officer has been convicted for killing a black man in Minnesota. This is monumental, George’s death is not in vein. pic.twitter.com/m6FrqdGljP
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) April 20, 2021

"Today’s outcome is a sombre victory for George and his family, but it shows that our efforts to promote justice are not in vain. Black voices have been heard and action is happening. When we stand together, we can make a difference.

"But this is just one step on the path towards a more equal society. Since George’s death, so many other Black people have died at the hands of the police and we must ensure the momentum of today continues. The fight isn’t over, and there is more to be done, but we can consider today a glimmer of hope.

"My thoughts and prayers are with George’s family. I hope they will feel a sense of peace from this result."