Resources for Augsburg During Police Trial – Equity and Inclusion Initiatives

George Floyd was murdered May 25, 2020, three miles from the Augsburg campus. The trial of one of the officers involved, Derek Chauvin, began March 8 and was one of the most watched police trials in American history.

“We acknowledge the pain present within the Augsburg community and the fear and trauma that has been a consistent lived reality, specifically for our Black community members and also our Indigenous and other communities of color,” said Paul Pribbenow, the university’s president.

While many of us are still working to comprehend the horrifying circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd and the civil unrest that followed, several groups of faculty, staff, and students met to try to best prepare Augsburg and our community for the trial and for events around it. Additionally, the university sought resources to support our community and help our community to better understand all of the various aspects of the trial.

The trial’s schedule called for jury selection to begin March 8, and opening statements to start by March 29.

The jury delivered its verdict April 20: guilty on all three counts.

Anticipated Key Dates

March 8 — Trial begins with jury selection
March 29 — Opening arguments
April or May — Closing arguments and jury deliberations
April 20 — Verdict
May 25 — One-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder
June 25 — Sentencing
March 2022 — Trial of the other three officers

Trial-Related Events

Ongoing Events

Chapel: 10:40 a.m. Fridays – Campus Ministry, led by Pastor Babette and Pastoral Intern Jenn, holds 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence and reflection on Fridays.

Healing Our City Virtual Prayer Tent: 8 a.m. Daily

Past Events

Canceled- Protesting 101 Workshop: 5 p.m. April 22 Marshall Room and Zoom
The workshop was canceled because of suspended operations Thursday, 4/22. If you have questions or would like resources regarding this topic, please contact Cruz Rodriguez at redriguc@augsburg.edu .

George Floyd Update: Noon March 4 UST Panel on Upcoming Police Trial

Know Your Rights Training: 5-6:30 p.m. March 5 Legal Rights Center Online Event

The People vs. Derek Chauvin: Rally for Justice on Trial Day 1: 8-11 a.m. March 8

Finding Inner Calm: 5:30-6:30 p.m. March 9

Ask an Attorney Lunch Session: Noon-1 p.m. March 10 Legal Rights Center Online Event

Covering the Chauvin Trial: The Roles of Journalists, PR and Communications Professionals: Noon-1:30 p.m. March 19 Minnesota Public Relations Society of America Panel Discussion

Augsburg Day Student Government Town Hall – 4:30-5:30 p.m. March 24

The People vs. Derek Chauvin: Opening Statements: 8-11 a.m. March 29

Conversations on Healing and Justice: Confronting Racial Violence in the U.S.: 10:30-11:30 a.m. April 1

Dialogue on Healing and Supportive Spaces: April 7 for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) on the Augsburg Campus – Session One: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Session Two: 3 p.m.-4:30 p.m.; located in Student Lounge and Marshall Room