NORTH BERGEN, NJ (May 30, 2020) – The leader of the International Longshoremen’s Association called on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to bring swift justice to the police officers responsible for “the apparent murder of George Floyd.” Harold J. Daggett sent an email letter to the Minnesota Governor late Friday evening, May 29, saying the overpowering and clear video would make it easy to charge those responsible.
“The charge today of third-degree murder against fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is but a start, though woefully delayed given the overpowering and clear video evidence you and other leader in Minnesota had access to for days,” charged ILA President Daggett. “There were other Minneapolis police officers involved in the brutal actions that led to Mr. Floyd death, as several videos clearly illustrate. A crime is a crime, even if it’s perpetrated by those very public servants who are supposed to protect and defend.
“For more than a century, the ILA has championed Civil Rights; Human Rights and Workers’ Rights,” President Daggett added. “We now join in this urgent and important fight for justice for Mr. Floyd and for those who caused his untimely death to be held accountable.”
The full text of President Daggett’s letter follows:
May 29, 2020
Governor Tim Walz
Officer of the Governor
130 State Capital
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
St. Paul, Minnesota. 55155Dear Governor:
The tens of thousands of members of the International Longshoremen’s Association join with all decent Americans in calling for immediate justice for the apparent murder of George Floyd, by holding those responsible for his death be held accountable. The charge today of third-degree murder against fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is but a start, though woefully delayed given the overpowering and clear video evidence you and other leaders in Minnesota had access to for days. There were other Minneapolis police officers involved in the brutal actions that led to Mr. Floyd death, as several videos clearly illustrate. A crime is a crime, even if it’s perpetrated by those very public servants who are supposed to protect and defend.
We are exhausted and enraged that African-Americans, like Mr. George Floyd, are being slaughtered needlessly by law enforcement officers with cover-ups more common than vigorous investigations. The grief and outrage expressed in the demonstrations on the streets of Minneapolis and other cities across America in the wake of Mr. Floyd’s murder, are the by-products of policies and practices that are discriminatory and seemingly target minorities.
For more than a century, the ILA has championed Civil Rights; Human Rights and Workers’ Rights. We now join in this urgent and important fight for justice for Mr. Floyd and for those who caused his untimely death to be held accountable.
Sincerely,
Harold J. Daggett
International President