Yale School of Architecture
“…Though I am relieved that a perpetrator of racist violence has been held accountable, achieving justice will take a lot more work.”
Yale School of Art
“We continue to reckon with the relentless and lethal mix of gun violence, racial violence, and a pandemic that grows more complex as it also wanes with mass vaccination.”
Read Dean Kuzma’s full message
Yale College
“This verdict, so unequivocal and delivered so swiftly, has offered a moment of relief because the police officer responsible for his death was held accountable. To a nation despairing of ever seeing such an outcome, this verdict has also offered hope.”
Yale School of Drama
“George Floyd should be alive today. While the verdict provides a critical measure of accountability for one police officer, we know there is much work to be done to achieve true justice. We take this moment to reflect and share our collective relief, pain, frustration, and profound sadness.”
Read Dean Bundy’s full message
Yale Divinity School
“The justice system was on trial as well as a particular individual.”
Read Dean Sterling’s full message
Yale School of the Environment
“It is our responsibility to drive our society to do better—our friends’ and colleagues’ lives are at stake.”
Read Dean Burke’s full message
Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
“On this occasion, the defendant did not walk away without punishment for a despicable crime against a person of color.”
Read Dean Cooley’s full message
Jackson Institute
“This event and the many others that have been highlighted over the past year have put a necessary spotlight on the centuries-long effort to dismantle racism in the U.S. and abroad.”
Read Director James Levinsohn’s full message
Yale Law School
“While the legal system has held George Floyd’s killer to account, the tragedy of George Floyd’s death and the many devastating incidents that have followed further expose the country’s failure to confront racial violence and the tenacious hold that structural racism has on our society.”
Read Dean Gerken’s full message
Yale School of Management
“Regardless of the outcome of the trial, we remain dedicated to the larger project of doing all we can to help eradicate racial bigotry and mistreatment in society, including the racially-charged episodes of police misconduct that remain a lamentable reality in the lives of many of our fellow citizens.”
Read Dean Charles’s full message
Yale School of Medicine
“As we process this evening’s verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, the School of Medicine stands united with all members of our community in championing humanity in the treatment of all Americans.”
Read Dean Brown’s full message
Yale School of Music
“Our nation, because of the courage of 12 people who listened with their hearts and minds, took a small step forward toward seeing, hearing, and giving voice to those among us who have been disenfranchised by America’s historic struggle with racism.”
Read Dean Blocker’s full message
Yale School of Nursing
“…This verdict is not a punctuation mark; it is a reminder that justice can be precarious for Black people subjected to police violence.”
Read Dean Kurth’s full message
Yale School of Public Health
“This trial was one step towards justice, albeit a small one given the magnitude of the remaining work that needs to be done.”