Sir Lewis Hamilton says the conviction of a former police officer for the killing of George Floyd “marks a new dawn in the fight for racial justice”.
Former officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of Floyd’s murder on Tuesday.
“This is the first time that a white officer has been convicted for killing a black man in Minnesota,” Hamilton posted on Instagram.
“Convicting him of all three charges marks a new dawn in the fight for racial justice.
“Justice for George. This is monumental, George’s death is not in vain….
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Hamilton, 36, continues to kneel before races in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and has set up a joint charitable foundation with Mercedes to promote diversity.
Floyd’s murder sparked both calls for police reformation and protests across the world.
Also, a day after former Minneapolis officer Chauvin was found guilty, it has been announced a federal investigation into police practices in the city will take place.
Former tennis world number one and 12-time women’s Grand Slam champion Billie Jean King tweeted: “The time to collectively examine the treatment of black people, in particular black boys/men, by some law enforcement is long overdue.
“The path to healing must begin.”
And following the verdict four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka, 23, wrote:
I was going to make a celebratory tweet but then I was hit with sadness because we are celebrating something that is clear as day. The fact that so many injustices occurred to make us hold our breath toward this outcome is really telling.
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) April 20, 2021
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James simply posted the word “accountability” and several other NBA names spoke out.
ACCOUNTABILITY
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 20, 2021
“Today showed to me the power of community,” said former Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers star Dwyane Wade.
“If there was any win, you can’t celebrate this, to me it was a win for accountability. We have got more work to do, we all know that.”
Tyronn Lue, head coach of the LA Clippers, added: “It’s still a sad day. It’s great to see someone being held accountable for their actions. It doesn’t bring George Floyd back.”
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash commented: “I just hope that this is the type of statement by our justice system that gives hope and precedence for these type of verdicts to be the norm.”
Our hearts and thoughts are with the Floyd family and Minneapolis tonight. #JusticeForAll, one step forward, many more to go… https://t.co/2XpT0Ws42M
— Gersson Rosas (@GerssonRosas) April 21, 2021
In a statement on Twitter, the Minnesota Timberwolves wrote: “Throughout our history, racial and social injustices have been ingrained in our society. We are hopeful that today’s decision will serve as a step forward, but it does not ease the physical and emotional pain that continues in an environment where systemic racism exists.”
