Omar: Minneapolis community is ‘on edge’ around Chauvin trial

Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar (D) on Sunday said the Minneapolis community is “on edge” as it watches the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former police officer who is charged with murdering George Floyd, and waits for a verdict.

When asked by host Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” if the city is prepared for the possibility of a hung jury or a not guilty verdict, Omar said the community is “on edge,” but expressed confidence in Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) and the prosecutors in the case.

“We have seen justice not delivered in our community for many years. I think that there is a lot of confidence in Attorney General Keith Ellison and the prosecutors in this case, but we are all eagerly awaiting to see how this trial shakes out,” Omar, who represents Minneapolis, said.

“It’s been really horrendous to watch the defense put George Floyd on trial instead of the former police officer who’s charged with his murder,” Omar continued.

Omar added that it has been difficult to watch the proceedings, and that she and the Minneapolis community have tried to avoid it.

Chauvin has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, one count of third-degree murder and one count of second-degree manslaughter, all in connection with the death of Floyd. In May 2020, Chauvin was captured on camera kneeling on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes during an arrest.

Chauvin’s trial began on Monday, and thus far has been dominated by emotional eyewitness testimony and gripping bystander video footage.

Omar also weighed in on Major League Baseball’s decision to pull the All-Star Game out of Atlanta this summer in protest of the state’s new restricting voting rights bill, saying she hopes the boycott will “result in changes in the law.”

Rep. Ilhan Omar responds to voter laws in Georgia, “When you restrict people’s ability to vote, you create a democracy that isn’t fully functioning for all of us. If we continue to be a beacon of hope for all democracies around the world, we must stand our ground.” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/RL3HR5O401

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) April 4, 2021