ST. PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham made the following statement on the five-year anniversary of George Floyd's murder:
"Five years ago today, the entire world witnessed in horror as former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd on video while his fellow officers stood by and did nothing.
"George Floyd should still be alive. His murder served as a stark reminder of the long journey both Minnesota and the nation must undertake before we can truly achieve ‘liberty and justice for all.’ It also prompted our Labor Movement to critically examine itself, assessing where we can and must do more to construct a just and inclusive movement that is welcoming to working Minnesotans from diverse backgrounds.
"The Trump Administration has decided to abandon the federal government’s efforts to make our communities safer by removing consent decrees with the Minneapolis Police Department and others; thanks to the State’s consent decree and dedicated community advocates, Minnesota will continue this important work.
"Minnesota’s Labor Movement is committed to racial and economic justice for all. Over the past five years, our Committee on Racial & Economic Justice has been actively engaging with rank-and-file union members across our entire state. We are actively listening and exploring avenues to foster unity among members. Working people are determined to stand in solidarity with each other, and we will not allow the likes of Donald Trump or Derek Chauvin to divide us along the lines of race. We can and must build more inclusive, just, and safer communities."