Commentators, politicians, activists and artists around the world have been sharing their reactions to the conviction of Derek Chauvin yesterday, April 20 – as a jury found the former police officer guilty of murder over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year.

Chauvin was found guilty on second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter, with sentencing likely to take place in two months.

The video of Chauvin killing Floyd, by kneeling on his neck for over nine minutes, was circulated widely last year – sparked protests around the world, as communities rose up against police brutality and systemic racism.

The Movement Of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI) took to Twitter to send their "blessings to Floyd's family", but also said that they felt "numb" following the verdict.

Numb. Not sure how to feel about this #GeorgeFloydTrial. He is gone. And others have been murdered after him. And the same violent institution will murder more. When will it end? Blessings to Floyd's family! Ireland should probably wait for #GeorgeNkencho investigation

— MASI - Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (@masi_asylum) April 20, 2021

Erica Cody noted that, despite a sense of "lifted weight" following the trial, she was "still feeling heavy."

A lifted weight, yet still feeling heavy. Rest in power #GeorgeFloyd 🤎

— Erica-Cody (@EricaCody) April 20, 2021

Lord Mayor of Dublin Hazel Chu pointed out that the verdict "shows progress is being made".

#DerekChauvinTrial shows progress is being made. Systemic racism is ongoing but those who suffer it, who are silenced by it, who fight against it are chipping at it bit by bit.

It's time for us all to say 'we see it, we will not stand for it'.

May George Floyd rest in peace.

— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) April 20, 2021

Former Green Party member Saoirse McHugh, meanwhile, called out the "big public accounts" on Twitter who "are all #BlackLivesMatter when it comes to George Floyd but went down the 'he had a knife, we don't know the facts' when it was here in Ireland" – referencing the fatal shooting of George Nkencho by Gardaí.

There’s lots of big public accounts here who are all #BlackLivesMatter when it comes to George Floyd but went down the “he had a knife, we don’t know the facts” when it was here in Ireland. #JusticeForGeorgeNkencho

— Saoirse McHugh (@saoirse_mchugh) April 21, 2021

Lecturer and author Dr Ebun Joseph said she was "doing cartwheels" when she heard the verdict – and stated that "Safety of Black people is the minimum."

Me in my room doing cartwheels when I heard the verdict #DerekChauvinTrial #GeorgeFloydTrial (not on trial!).
Safety of Black people is the minimum https://t.co/HloUBU5BYT

— Dr Ebun Joseph (@EbunJoseph1) April 21, 2021

See more reactions to the verdict below:

Today, a jury in Minnesota found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd.

The verdict is a step forward.

And while nothing can ever bring George Floyd back, this can be a giant step forward on the march towards justice in America.

— President Biden (@POTUS) April 20, 2021

We are all part of George Floyd's legacy. And now our job is to honor it—to honor him.

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 21, 2021

I hope all white Irish people paying attention to the #DerekChauvinTrial pay equal attention to the treatment of George Nkencho and his family by the Garda bc your activism means nothing if it doesn’t start at home

— Ashley Chadamoyo Makombe (@ashleychadamoyo) April 20, 2021

Guilty #GeorgeFloydTrial

— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) April 20, 2021

My 1st reaction to this: relief that the perpetrator of this gross violation of human rights was found guilty. 2nd reaction: the enormity of institutionalised racism. 3rd: reaction: we can't be overwhelmed by it. We need to build a better world together. https://t.co/Gi1P9PPuK9

— Caoimhe de Barra (@CdeBarra) April 21, 2021

Keep thinking about George Floyd’s daughter saying her dad ‘changed the world’.

— Louise McSharry (@louisemcsharry) April 20, 2021

Everyone talking about ‘relief’ over the George Floyd case verdict and that points to one thing: A justice system that feels like a spin of the wheel. There’s absolutely no trust. Even a broken clock tells the right time twice a day. #GeorgeFloydTrial

— Shirley Temple Bar (@shirleybar) April 20, 2021

Racism can have no place in our society. #Justice #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/WJ8oRrzGYs

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) April 20, 2021

One down, many more to go. This verdict took too much marching — and too many tears. Even with all this evidence, people woke up this morning afraid to hope.

The message: we must get more involved, like the girl who filmed this. This should never happen again. We need change. pic.twitter.com/hrI0bKLyHW

— Van Jones (@VanJones68) April 20, 2021

ACCOUNTABILITY

— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 20, 2021

#GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/HKeNlthckW

— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) April 20, 2021

Justice for George Floyd was essential. Praying for his family and friends today, and all who waited with them. Praying too for all who live with the trauma of racist violence and oppression, endured over many generations, and all who continue to wait and struggle for justice.

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) April 21, 2021

Rest in Peace #GeorgeFloyd Your murderer is going down, and Racism is being crushed. This isn’t the end, or the beginning, but the NOW is changing - people are waking up - and your name marks the moment. No going back 🙏🏽

— Thandiwe Newton (@ThandiweNewton) April 21, 2021

Today, justice was served for the Floyd family, but we still live in a nation clothed in injustice. True justice for Black Americans can only come through a complete revolution of values. We need an overhaul of systems deeply rooted in racism. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd

— Martin Luther King III (@OfficialMLK3) April 20, 2021

I know there’s still work to do but, if you can, take pause and take care. A guilty verdict doesn’t erase the trauma.

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 21, 2021