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U.S. House Speaker Pelosi criticized for thanking George Floyd for 'sacrificing your life'

Published 04/20/2021, 07:59 PM
Updated 04/20/2021, 08:25 PM
© Reuters. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington

© Reuters. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds weekly news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday drew criticism by thanking George Floyd, a Black man who became a symbol of the struggle for racial justice, after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murdering him.

During a news conference following Chauvin's conviction on three criminal counts, Pelosi called the outcome "a step in the right direction for justice."

"Thank you, George Floyd for sacrificing your life for justice," Pelosi said, referring to Floyd's death in May as Chauvin pinned his knee on Floyd's neck for more than nine minutes.

The comment drew widespread criticism online.

"Speaker Pelosi's comment about George Floyd was totally inappropriate. At a minimum, she should apologize," said Josh McLaurin, a Democratic member of the Georgia state legislature, on Twitter. "But more than that, I think the gaffe clarifies how much this country would benefit from a Black Speaker of the House."

Black Representative Hakeem Jeffries, who holds a high position in House Democratic leadership, is seen as a possible future speaker or House majority leader.

The Pelosi-led House has passed the "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act," which aims to put a stop to aggressive law enforcement tactics that have targeted African Americans and other minorities.

The bill, which has not yet been considered by the Senate, would ban police chokeholds and no-knock warrants, limit military equipment used by police departments and require officers to wear body cameras. It also would make it easier to prosecute police misconduct.

Antonio Romanucci, a Chicago attorney on the team representing Floyd's family, noted that Pelosi had twice called the family on Tuesday.

© Reuters. U.S. House Speaker Pelosi participates with members of Congressional Black Caucus in news conference upon guilty verdicts in trial of former Minneapolis police officer Chauvin, for murder of George Floyd, at U.S. Capitol in Washington

"Our speaker is a great leader. She is somebody that wants to see this through," Romanucci said, referring to the bill.

Latest comments

RIP George Floyd and justice was served. just remember he put himself in a horrible position by resisting arrest for nearly 20 minutes before chauvin pinned him to the ground
resisting a bogus fake 20 dollar bill accusation
If a black man get k/i/l/led, the whole country burnt. The police car ran over an asian. He was k/i/l/led in Ca and the news didnt bother. Nobody gives a f if other bad guys get k/i/lled by the police. Violence protests by the left always win.
Why would you .... nvm 🤦🏽‍♂️
Oh my God!!!! What is wrong with her?
I've never seen a bigger hypocrite than her
look in a mirror
Democratic party is the party of race baiting.
Oh wow you called them out good!
 Go ahead Benji.. tell us how Pelosi's remarks are moral and profound... This should be good.
she misspoke. but her message was clear. you would not like anything she would have said so your opinion does not matter.
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