In the wake of Derek Chauvin's sentencing for George Floyd's death, protesters convened in front of the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis Friday night to turn the focus to the other three officers involved.
Protesters: 'One down, three to go'
In wake of Chauvin's sentencing, protest focus turns to other officers involved.
June 26, 2021 at 6:44AM
Former officers J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane, who assisted Chauvin in restraining Floyd, and Tou Thao, who kept the crowd of increasingly concerned bystanders away, will stand trial next year.
Protesters temporarily closed 7th Street between S. 3rd and 4th avenues, then marched through downtown, slowing vehicle and light-rail traffic. They made a brief stop at the Gay 90s nightclub, appealing to patrons to join their march.
They held signs saying, "One down, three to go" and chanted, "Chauvin guilt!"
Speakers also expressed their frustration that Chauvin was sentenced to 22½ years in prison, saying they believe he should have gotten a life sentence.
The three other officers were originally scheduled to stand trial on Aug. 23, but the date was postponed by Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill to March 7 after federal charges were filed against them.
Cahill said the federal case should proceed first and that the state trial needed "space" from events this summer, including Chauvin's sentencing.
A date for the federal trial has yet to be set.
Alex Chhith • 612-673-4759
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