Programs

On the Anniversary of George Floyd’s Murder

May 25, 2021

A year ago today, George Floyd died at the hands of then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. On the anniversary of his tragic murder, our thoughts are with his family and loved ones who endure his loss.

Over the past year, we have witnessed the expansion of a national and global civil rights movement calling for change. Racial disparities infect the criminal and juvenile justice systems at all points—from initial contact and victimization to detention and incarceration, to reentry into the community. While the conviction of Derek Chauvin last month was a step toward healing, the work to advance safety, equity, and justice continue.

All of us at The Council of State Governments Justice Center are unequivocally committed to tackling racial injustices. We are determined to ensure that every Black person in America can trust in the criminal justice system to treat them fairly and with dignity and respect.

Today, we pause to reflect and honor George Floyd’s life and legacy. We will continue to support state and local officials committed to dismantling racial inequities, offering second chances, and improving public safety for everyone.

Photo by munshots on Unsplash.

About the Author

Megan Quattlebaum

Director

As director of the CSG Justice Center, Megan Quattlebaum leads a staff of approximately 120 who work across an array of specialties that span the criminal justice continuum to develop research-driven strategies to increase public safety and strengthen communities. Before

...

joining the organization, Megan most recently served as a research scholar in law and the program director of the Justice Collaboratory at the Yale Law School, where she taught as well as developed and oversaw research projects and led the organization’s work on behalf of the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice. She was also the Senior Liman Fellow in Residence for the Arthur Liman Center for Public Interest Law and served as a lecturer in law at Columbia Law School. Additionally, she has served as a practicing criminal and civil defense attorney with Zuckerman Spaeder LLP in New York and an Arthur Liman Public Interest Fellow and attorney at the Neighborhood Legal Services Association in Pittsburgh. She also clerked for the Hon. Julio M. Fuentes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She received her BA from Sarah Lawrence College and her JD from the Yale Law School.