{"id":143236,"date":"2026-06-01T19:31:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T22:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/moment-of-silence-for-derek-chauvin-at-gop-convention-met-with-shock-shrugs\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T19:31:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T22:31:03","slug":"moment-of-silence-for-derek-chauvin-at-gop-convention-met-with-shock-shrugs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ubirataonline.com.br\/en\/moment-of-silence-for-derek-chauvin-at-gop-convention-met-with-shock-shrugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Moment of silence for Derek Chauvin at GOP convention met with shock, shrugs"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Prominent Minnesota Republicans remain noncommittal on whether a vote to hold a moment of silence for convicted murderer Derek Chauvin<\/a> at the party\u2019s state convention this past weekend was the right call.<\/p>\n

Chauvin is the former Minneapolis police officer currently serving a 22-year prison sentence for the murder of George Floyd<\/a> in 2020.<\/p>\n

Democrats expressed awe at the action, while top Republicans have said the decision that required 60% of delegates\u2019 approval isn\u2019t representative of the party.<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0Republican State Convention underway in Duluth<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Rocco explained in a YouTube video why he had to do it.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot because he died, but because the moment you are silent on injustice is the moment you are implicit in injustice,\u201d Rocco said.<\/p>\n

Political world reacts<\/h2>\n

On Monday, Kendall Qualls, the Republican Party\u2019s endorsed candidate for governor, did not commit to a stance on the moment of silence, only saying he \u201cwasn\u2019t part of that decision.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an interview on WCCO Radio, GOP Party Chair Alex Plechash also declined to say whether he agreed with his party\u2019s decision to honor Chauvin.<\/p>\n

RELATED: Kendall Qualls endorsed for governor after hourslong delay due to electronic voting issues<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThere 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,\u201d Plechash said.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the Republican Party emphasized that the motion \u201cwas not a statement from party leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA moment of silent prayer should not be mischaracterized as an official policy position, platform statement, or message from the Republican Party of Minnesota,\u201d the spokesperson said. \u201cIt was a floor action taken by delegates, not leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat, issued a statement on Sunday denouncing the tribute to Chauvin, calling it \u201cdisturbing\u201d and \u201cdisrespectful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo honor the man convicted of murdering George Floyd \u2014 days after the very anniversary of that terrible day \u2014 is an act of profound cruelty to the Floyd family and to every Minnesotan who believes in accountability under law,\u201d Ellison said.<\/p>\n

DFL Party Chair Richard Carlbom said it was \u201cshameful\u201d that Plechash and Qualls \u201care making excuses for Derek Chauvin\u201d and pushed them to answer whether they would support a pardon for Chauvin if Qualls is elected governor.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a hypothetical exercise \u2014 Minnesotans deserve clarity from Kendall Qualls and all the Republicans running for Governor on whether or not they would pardon Derek Chauvin if elected,\u201d Carlbom said.<\/p>\n

FILE \u2013 Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin listens to verdicts at his trial for the 2020 death of George Floyd at the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, April 20, 2021. (Court TV via AP, Pool, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n