'Hope': 10 Christian reactions to Derek Chauvin’s conviction for murder of George Floyd

By Leonardo Blair, Senior Reporter Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference at the Empowered21 Congress in Jerusalem, Israel, on May 20, 2015. | The Christian Post/Leonardo Blair

4. The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, said:

"Today’s decision has demonstrated yet again how far we have to go on our long march toward justice. The wounds of our past continue to bleed into our present reality and the tensions in American life — revealed by this terrible tragedy — have reminded us that there will probably be another George Floyd and another Derek Chauvin.

"The remedy — politically and judicially speaking — is the blind eye of justice guiding our legislators and judges, but the remedy for the soul of America is empathy, understanding and love of one’s neighbor whatever the color of their skin.

"It begins with America’s Judeo-Christian conviction that every single human being is made in the image of God. We will only reach our destination on this long march if we reach it together.

"I pray that the God of all mankind, His son Jesus the Prince of Peace and the comforting Spirit of the Holy Ghost will guide our nation — including its Republicans and Democrats — toward the ultimate realization of the dream of Dr. King.

"I pray for the ultimate solution, which is to raise up a new generation that doesn't carry with them the pain, grievance and tragedy of the past through constant reminders in our present. May He who made our world and blessed our United States with freedom, help us always repair our world and our country in his image."