California Medical Association President Peter N. Bretan, Jr., M.D., issued the following statement in response to today's verdicts in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty on all charges in the death of George Floyd.

"Today’s verdict is a reaffirmation that our system of justice, while imperfect, can work for everyone. This verdict was the right verdict, and hopefully it brings a degree of closure for George Floyd’s family, loved ones and the millions of us who have been moved by this case. But while we acknowledge that this is a small step forward toward a system of justice for all, it is also a time of reflection for all of us – including those in the house of medicine. George Floyd was senselessly murdered but we must ensure he did not die in vain. It is all of our responsibility to acknowledge the ways in which institutional racism impacts all of our lives, and continue the hard work of rooting out the scourge of racism in our system of justice, health care in our everyday lives."