Crowd rallies in downtown SLC after Chauvin conviction

SALT LAKE CITY – About 300 people rallied outside of Salt Lake City Police headquarters after ex-police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted in the 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

People took turns Tuesday evening to speak about the verdict as the crowd reacted with cheers.

The group planned to march to a downtown area called The Murals later in the Evening. It is an area with murals of the faces of George Floyd and other people killed in confrontations with police from around the country painted on buildings.

A few hundred people gathered outside @slcpolice headquarters. Part of this group is with @blcklvsmatut. Founder Lex Scott told me this is the first time they’re gathering to celebrate, but she also says there’s still a lot of work to do. pic.twitter.com/EpjuURHA9w

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) April 21, 2021

Lex Scott, President of the local Black Lives Matter chapter said she is not sure how to react to Tuesday’s verdict because she feels like she has never had justice before.

“It shouldn’t be that rare for a police officer who murdered someone to be convicted of murder. It’s just mixed emotions and I think tonight will be a healing night. I think it will be just productive venting and a community gathering of people who are celebrating and mourning,” she said.

Earlier Tuesday she posted an emotional response on Facebook as she tried to talk through tears.

The rally was a low-key event and Scott encouraged everyone there to keep it that way.