Community activists push for police accountability legislation amid Chauvin trial

Wednesday, community activists spoke about the ongoing trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and police accountability legislation.

Michelle Gross, president of Communities United Against Police Brutality, said Chauvin has a troubling history that should’ve been caught before George Floyd’s death. She added that "it’s really quite outrageous" how the city accepts complaints against police officers.

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) Executive Director Jaylani Hussein said Chauvin’s trial isn’t just about what happened in Minneapolis but also what’s happened across the country for years. He noted that the trial won’t fix the issues in police accountability in the state or country, political leaders have to pass laws to ensure law enforcement is held accountable.

Activists talked about some legislation aimed at doing that, including the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week, and called on Gov. Tim Walz and state legislative leaders to take action to create change in Minnesota.

"We are asking for all who care about George Floyd … it is time we take action and that action is to pass legislative policies across this country that hold police officers accountable," Hussein said.

Click the video box above to see Wednesday’s full press conference.