To all those cynics who stand on the sidelines, sneering that protests don’t work & riots are a waste of time and energy, you were wrong.
On the 9th day of race protests demanding justice for the murder of George Floyd by racist, abusive police, some small relief, today.
As testament to the power of citizen journalism & phone videos, the charges against Derek Chauvin have been elevated from 3rd degree murder to second (before memorializing the slain Floyd, tomorrow).
The government gambled with the sentiment of the people and the streets and tried bargaining with them by only offering a 3rd degree murder charge. But the power of the people triumphed.
It took nearly 50 states to protest (and many other countries) as well as thousands of protesters arrested and vilified for the authorities to get it and charge Chauvin with 2nd degree murder.
Moreover the 3 officers who stood by and saw Floyd being tortured to death have also been charged with aiding and abetting.
Crowds of protestors are cheering this good news and the family of Floyd are experiencing some peace that justice is being served.