Statement From the New York Six Presidents Concerning the Chauvin Trial Verdict

A STATEMENT FROM THE NEW YORK SIX PRESIDENTS CONCERNING THE CHAUVIN TRIAL VERDICT

(Syracuse, NY – April 20, 2021)  The presidents of the New York Six Liberal Arts Consortium member institutions have issued a statement following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial in Minnesota. The statement reads:

Today, a jury convicted former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin of murder in the May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd. 

Like communities across the nation, our campuses have been roiled by Mr. Floyd’s murder and by the violence inflicted upon people of color in incidents that are far too frequent. The recent deaths of Daunte Wright in Minneapolis and Adam Toledo in Chicago remind us that much work remains to be done to end systemic racism and racialized policing.

We call upon all members of our communities to commit themselves to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus and in everything we do, everywhere we go. Our actions cannot bring back lives that have been tragically and violently cut short, and cannot ease the suffering of grieving families. But taking determined action against racism and injustice is the only way we will prevent these killings from happening in the future and begin to heal as a nation. 

Each of our schools will provide opportunities for discussions about the Chauvin case in the coming days, and many resources are available to members of our campus communities who need support. Join us in this critically important work.

Sincerely,

Brian W. Casey, Colgate University
David Wippman, Hamilton College 
Joyce P. Jacobsen, Hobart and William Smith Colleges 
William L. Fox, St. Lawrence University 
Marc C. Conner, Skidmore College 
David R. Harris, Union College