Minnesota Republicans Hold Moment of Silence for Chauvin

The Minnesota Republican Party’s convention featured a moment of silence for Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murdering George Floyd. This act occurred six years after Chauvin’s actions sparked a national conversation on policing and race relations.

The decision faced significant backlash from Democrats who argued that it disrespected both the judicial system and George Floyd’s memory. Certain conservatives have, in recent years, attempted to change the narrative surrounding Floyd’s death and have encouraged President Trump to pardon Chauvin for his federal conviction.

At the convention, a delegate proposed the moment of silence, referring to Chauvin as deserving a state retrial and a federal pardon. This was captured on audio by The Minnesota Reformer, though the delegate’s identity was not disclosed.

During a voice vote on this motion, many attendees audibly supported it with cries of “aye,” while objections were notably subdued. State Representative Danny Nadeau, overseeing that session of the convention, confirmed that the support for the motion was overwhelming.

Nadeau opted to make the moment of silence brief, lasting only a few seconds, and disclosed that he had advised the delegate against pursuing it prior to the event.