From Huffpost
Minnesota Republicans Hold Bizarre Moment Of Silence For George Floyd's Convicted Killer
Minnesota Republicans took time out of their convention this past weekend to give a collective tribute to Derek Chauvin, the convicted former Minneapolis cop whose murder of George Floyd in 2020 launched nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
The party granted a delegate's request on Saturday that attendees stand in silence for about 10 seconds for Chauvin just days after the anniversary of him killing Floyd, who was Black, by kneeling on his neck for more than nine minutes.
Chauvin was sentenced to more than 22 years in prison after a jury handed down a murder conviction in the case, as well as a separate concurrent 21-year sentence for violating Floyd's civil rights. Despite the courts shutting down all appeals efforts, some Republicans have called for the ex-officer to be pardoned.
"There are a lot of people I think that believe Derek Chauvin was improperly convicted and not treated well, and those people wanted to have a moment of silence in recognition because they felt that way," Minnesota GOP chair Alex Plechash told WCCO radio on Monday.