Verdict one step towards justice: Obama

Former US president Barack Obama says the conviction of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin over the death of George Floyd is correct but only one step in the fight for justice.

He said in a statement that true justice required Americans to understand that “black Americans are being treated differently every day” and that millions lived in fear that their next encounter with law enforcement could be their last.

Obama said the country needed to follow up on the verdict by taking concrete steps to reduce racial bias in the criminal justice system and to redouble efforts to expand economic opportunity in marginalised communities.

A jury on Tuesday found that Chauvin was guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree “depraved mind” murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd, a black man. Video of the incident touched off global protests over race and police brutality.

Earlier, President Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and first lady Jill Biden called members of the Floyd family moments after the verdict, according to video posted by family lawyer Ben Crump.

Biden told the family: “Nothing is going to make it all better, but at least now there is some justice.”

He added: “We’re all so relieved.”

Biden said he hoped the verdict would give momentum to congressional police reform efforts.

According to the White House, Biden and Harris watched the verdict live from the private dining room just off the Oval Office.

Biden and Harris were expected to speak publicly on the verdict later on Tuesday.

Politicians from both US parties expressed satisfaction with the guilty verdict.

California Democratic Representative Maxine Waters said: “I’m not celebrating, I’m relieved.”

While South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, the chamber’s only black Republican, said he was thankful for a verdict that showed “our justice system continues to become more just”.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi thanked Floyd “for sacrificing your life for justice”.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Congress must keep working on legislation “to bring meaningful change” to police departments.