California Rep Maxine Waters said she was ‘not celebrating’ after the guilty verdict in the Derek Chauvin case days after her trial comments urging protesters to ‘get more confrontational’ caused an uproar.
“You know, someone said it better than me, I’m not celebrating, I’m relieved,” Waters said.
She had been on the receiving end of backlash from Republicans after the comments she made over the weekend.
Waters told journalists and a group of protesters on Saturday: “We’ve got to get more confrontational.”
She was also criticized for her remarks by the judge in Chauvin case, according to The Hill.
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said: “I wish elected officials would stop talking about this case, especially in a manner that is disrespectful to the rule of law and to the judicial branch and our function. f they want to give their opinions, they should do so … in a manner that is consistent with their oath to the Constitution.”
Mixed reactions to the case poured in following the verdict’s announcement, which found the former Minneapolis police officer guilty to second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and manslaughter.
Democratic Rep Cori Bush of Missouri was captured crying while embracing fellow Democratic Rep Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Business Insider reported.
Rep Ilhan Omar of Minnesota also said in a tweet: “This feels different for our community, justice feels new and long overdue.”
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Other top Democrats also used the opportunity to highlight the ongoing problem of systematic racism in law enforcement.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “America was forever changed by the video of Derek Chauvin killing George Floyd. However, a guilty verdict doesn’t mean the persistent problem of police misconduct is solved. We’ll keep working for meaningful change.”
Rep Karen Bass of California also said during a press conference: “Today just marks the beginning.”
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