March on Washington Film Festival encouraged by conviction for George Floyd’s murder and acknowledges that fight for racial justice must continue

(Washington, DC) – March on Washington Film Festival recognizes that while Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the murder of George Floyd, it is not a true reflection of justice, nor does it change the fact that countless lives have needlessly been lost to police brutality. We pray that this decision brings some sense of closure to George Floyd’s family, friends, and community.

We know that this is only one small step towards the victory that we are searching for. The conviction today does not erase the pain that countless parents, children and loved ones have felt at the hands of racist police and justice system. It does not address the root causes of police brutality, which are rooted in white supremacy and embedded into our systems of government. 

This festival was founded to celebrate the stories of a historic movement in the name of racial justice. That movement continues to the present and is encouraged by today’s decision, which, in some small measure, holds the police accountable for their violence against the Black community in Minnesota. Our hope is that the narratives we tell from the Civil Rights Movement will lend some inspiration to current leaders as they fight for economic, environmental, and racial justice. 

About March on Washington Film Festival

The March on Washington Film Festival increases awareness of the untold events and unsung heroes of the Civil Rights Era and inspires renewed passion for activism. The Film Festival leverages the power of film, music, scholarship, and the arts to share these important stories. It was founded in 2013, on the 50th anniversary of the original March on Washington.