Prominent Minnesota Republicans remain noncommittal on whether a vote to hold a moment of silence for convicted murderer Derek Chauvin at the party’s state convention this past weekend was the right call.
Chauvin is the former Minneapolis police officer currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for the murder of George Floyd in 2020.
Democrats expressed awe at the action, while top Republicans have said the decision that required 60% of delegates’ approval isn’t representative of the party.
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The proposal for a moment of silence was brought to the floor on Saturday by delegate Christopher Rocco, who says GOP leadership did not know about it ahead of time.
Rocco explained in a YouTube video why he had to do it.
“Not because he died, but because the moment you are silent on injustice is the moment you are implicit in injustice,” Rocco said.
Political world reacts
On Monday, Kendall Qualls, the Republican Party’s endorsed candidate for governor, did not commit to a stance on the moment of silence, only saying he “wasn’t part of that decision.”
In an interview on WCCO Radio, GOP Party Chair Alex Plechash also declined to say whether he agreed with his party’s decision to honor Chauvin.
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“There are a lot of people, I think, that believe that Derek Chauvin was improperly convicted and not treated well, and those people wanted to have a moment of silence and recognition because they feel that way,” Plechash said.
A spokesperson for the Republican Party emphasized that the motion “was not a statement from party leadership.”
“A moment of silent prayer should not be mischaracterized as an official policy position, platform statement, or message from the Republican Party of Minnesota,” the spokesperson said. “It was a floor action taken by delegates, not leadership.”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the tribute to Chauvin, calling it “disturbing” and “disrespectful.”
“To honor the man convicted of murdering George Floyd — days after the very anniversary of that terrible day — is an act of profound cruelty to the Floyd family and to every Minnesotan who believes in accountability under law,” Ellison said.
DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom said it was “shameful” that Plechash and Qualls “are making excuses for Derek Chauvin” and pushed them to answer whether they would support a pardon for Chauvin if Qualls is elected governor.
“This is not a hypothetical exercise — Minnesotans deserve clarity from Kendall Qualls and all the Republicans running for Governor on whether or not they would pardon Derek Chauvin if elected,” Carlbom said.
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