ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Center for Victims of Torture™ (CVT) today issued this statement in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.

“I am filled with anger at the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police Monday. This is an outrage. The fact that this was done, once again, in CVT’s back yard fills me not only with anger but also with grief – for George Floyd and his family, for the Black community, for all non-white communities who experience unjustified police violence, for his neighbors and friends, and for the human rights defenders who have tirelessly worked against the systemic racism that is the root of these killings.

“The four Minneapolis police officers involved have been terminated. That is one piece of justice. However, there must be more. A world in which a man repeatedly informs an officer that he cannot breathe, only to be ignored and killed, is a world without conscience. We must have decisive action to protect people of color, among whom many CVT clients number, from authorities who disregard prudent practices of law enforcement.

“Together, we must call for an independent, impartial inquiry into this killing, including whether this use of force violated the police department’s own policy. The results of the inquiry should be made public, and those responsible should be held fully accountable. In addition, I urge you to contact the City of Minneapolis and its police department, and insist that they take new and significant actions to change the culture of the MPD to protect citizens of color.

“At CVT, we work to heal the wounds of torture and to influence the structures that should be, that must be, designed to protect the rights of all human beings. We stand with our clients, our neighbors and communities affected by unlawfulness at the hands of authorities.” –Curt Goering, CVT executive director

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The Center for Victims of Torture is a nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Paul, MN, with offices in Atlanta, GA, and Washington, D.C.; and healing initiatives in Africa and the Middle East. Visit www.cvt.org.