This morning, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd.
Chauvin was faced with charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. He was found guilty of all three this morning, but it’s hard to imagine this happening without the brave efforts of Darnella Frazier, who was 17-years-old when she filmed the murder.
Frazier filmed Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck on May 25, 2020, and the footage that she recorded became an instrumental part in not only the court case, but the world rallying for Floyd, as they had seen the accurate occurrences that lead to Floyd’s murder.
Folks online are praising Frazier for dealing with trauma, threats and intimidation, and yet carrying on with the filming of the tragic events before her. Without this film, there would be no case.
CNN Correspondent Omar Jimenez shared the original Minneapolis Police press release on the murder, and it really puts things into perspective as to how differently this case could have gone.
In the media statement, it implies Floyd entered “medical distress” on his own, and officers simply called an ambulance to assist. It does not mention that Chauvin applied deadly pressure to Floyd’s neck, ultimately murdering him at the scene.
If Darnella Frazier hadn’t filmed what happened and uploaded it to social media, where would this case be? #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/PUjbh6aNKD
— Omar Jimenez (@OmarJimenez) April 20, 2021
Frazier herself has even posted in response to the court results, writing that “justice has been served.”
“I just cried so hard,” she wrote on Facebook.
“This last hour my heart was beating so fast, I was so anxious, anxiety bussing through the roof.
“But to know guilty on all 3 charges!!! Thank you god thank you god thank you thank you thank you.”
Here are some more powerful tweets that sing praises for Darnella Frazier, whose name should not be forgotten in this case. Thanks to her, the media statement made by the police was able to be challenged, Chauvin was found guilty, and George Floyd received justice.
Can we all sing a praise song for Darnella Frazier who had the presence of mind to film that video that made such a difference in this case and now must live with the memories that will walk alongside her for the rest of her years
— Michele Norris (@michele_norris) April 20, 2021
Darnella Frazier is the 17 year-old hero who filmed it. Respect. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/O2CzhNXcJn
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) April 20, 2021
https://twitter.com/natemcdermott/status/1384617396078452741?s=20
Remember: none of Chauvin’s colleagues turned him in. He murdered a man in broad daylight and we are here today because a brave Black girl named Darnella Frazier kept taping despite threats from the cops on the scene.
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) April 20, 2021
I hope the girl that recorded George Floyd being murdered is protected. Remember she was a teenager, and that took a lot of courage. May she be protected and surrounded right now until forever. Police are known for retaliation.
— AshleyStevens (@The_Acumen) April 20, 2021
