Adjournment in Memory of George Floyd

On Tuesday, May 25, the Massachusetts State Senate adjourned in memory of George Floyd:

One year ago today, George Floyd, a Black man, was murdered by police officer Derek Chauvin.

His death was captured in its horrific entirety by Daniella Frazier, a 17 year old girl.

Once Daniella uploaded her video to social media, our nation erupted in grief and rage, leading to one of the largest civil rights protests our country has ever seen.

These protests came to the steps of the State House, and we were called – each and every one of us – to respond to this righteous grief and rage with action.

Today, we join those across the country honoring the life of George Floyd by remembering that he was a man beloved by his family, friends, and community.

George Floyd’s life mattered, and he deserved to live. Nothing can erase the incredible pain borne by those who loved him because of an act of violence.

But we also have the choice, as a Senate, to honor his life, today and every day, through our actions.

On the last day of 2020, An Act relative to justice, equity and accountability in law enforcement in the Commonwealth was signed into law.

This stands as one of the most comprehensive and intentional police reform laws in the United States, and it includes the creation of a first-in-the-nation civilian-led commission with the power to independently investigate police actions.

But our work is not done.

We are gathered here today, either in body or spirit, in this Senate chamber, with our eyes focused on the words of Frederick Douglass: “Truth, Justice, Liberty, and Humanity Will Ultimately Prevail.”

We enshrined these words on our wall. And we vowed, when we returned to this renovated chamber, that these words would guide our work.

As we take a moment of silence to remember the life of George Floyd, as well as all of the Black and brown lives we have lost to police violence, I ask all of us to reflect upon the words of Frederick Douglass.

And to ask ourselves to what more we must all do, as individuals and as a body, to bring more truth, justice, liberty and, most importantly, humanity, to every resident of this Commonwealth.

This is our most important charge as a Senate, and the most important action we can take to honor the life of George Floyd and all the lives we have lost.

Please join me in a moment of silence in memory of George Floyd.