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Dear Ventura County Community Members,
Today, in Minneapolis a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of all three counts for the murder of George Floyd. Our hearts go out to George Floyd’s family and to the families and communities across our country who have experienced racial injustice and horrific violence. Today, justice was served. There cannot be healing without justice and there is still much work to do to create true justice that prevents senseless killings.
Today’s decision does not minimize the pain or solve issues of hate, but it can mark the beginning of community healing and real change across our nation. Police brutality cannot be tolerated. I appreciate our local partnership with law enforcement and the leadership of our Sheriff and District Attorney in their commitment to racial justice. This tragic incident underscores the need for law enforcement to continue to be a partner in the community. Now more than ever is a time to come together to listen, communicate and engage in order for us to move toward an equitable society. We must address the unacceptable continued violence and hate toward people of color and commit to using our individual and collective voices to end the divisiveness of racial injustice.
We know that there is much work ahead. Black, indigenous and people of color still live with fear that what should be routine or minor police encounters could end tragically.
We value our relationships with our community members and community groups. We are stronger together. We stand in solidarity with those who wish to ensure all have a sense of safety, belonging, justice, equity and peace.
We must do our part by continuing to encourage ongoing discussions around topics of race, and the longstanding history of racism in our country, to break down the barriers that separate us, no matter how uncomfortable these topics may be. I hope that today is a true turning point in our country where people who have seen this trauma over and over again will know it is possible to have equal protection under the law and that we can all work together to assure that these tragedies stop. Our criminal justice system must provide equal treatment for all people. We owe it to all those whose lives have been lost to do all we can to stand together against hate and make a lasting impact for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Mike Powers
County Executive Officer
