A moment of silence for convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin at the Minnesota Republican Party's state convention has sparked sharp criticism from Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who led the prosecution that secured Chauvin's murder conviction in the death of George Floyd.
According to The Guardian, the brief tribute took place on the second day of the party's convention in Duluth, where delegates reportedly observed roughly 10 seconds of silence after a request from the convention floor. The gesture came just days after the sixth anniversary of Floyd's death, a date that continues to hold deep significance in Minneapolis and across the country.
Ellison responded with a strongly worded statement, arguing that recognizing Chauvin in that manner ignored the lasting impact Floyd's death had on his family and community. "This decision dishonors the memory of George Floyd and wounds his loved ones all over again," Ellison said.
He also described the tribute as "an act of profound cruelty" and said honoring Chauvin was disrespectful to law enforcement officers who serve honorably.
The renewed debate arrives as Floyd's family has been reflecting on the six years since his death. Earlier this month, relatives, including his uncle Selwyn Jones and aunt Angela Harrelson, said they still believe meaningful progress remains unfinished.
Jones told local media that "not enough change" has occurred since Floyd's killing, while Harrelson emphasized the importance of preserving George Floyd Square as a place of remembrance rather than commercialization.
Chauvin remains incarcerated and is serving a 22.5-year sentence following his 2021 conviction for second-degree murder. He is also serving a concurrent federal sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights.
Floyd died on May 25, 2020, after Chauvin knelt on his neck and back for 9 minutes and 29 seconds while he was handcuffed and lying face-down on a Minneapolis street. The incident, captured on video by bystanders, triggered worldwide protests and intensified conversations about policing, accountability, and racial justice.
In recent years, Chauvin has continued pursuing legal challenges to his convictions. His latest filing seeks post-conviction relief and argues that testimony presented during trial was flawed, among other claims. Courts have repeatedly rejected previous appeals, including efforts that reached Minnesota's highest courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Ellison pointed to those failed appeals while defending the outcome of the case. "The jury heard all the evidence. The appeals courts reviewed every claim. Justice was rendered according to our system of law," he said.
