[Anchor]
Former Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, has been convicted of the murder of George Floyd, the Black man whose death triggered worldwide protests against racism.
After a three-week trial, the jury found Chauvin guilty on three counts of murder and manslaughter.
Crowds, gathered on the spot where Floyd died, cheered when the verdict was announced.
The BBC's Larry Medowal reports from Minneapolis.
[Reporter]
We saw some tears.
We saw jubilation.
We saw anger but also a realization that a lot more work needs to be done.
Over here, when the announcement was made, some shouted in the crowd "Guilty" and then the applause broke out.
They were clapping.
They were hugging each other and they were celebrating that moment.
So unexpected especially as the jury returned the verdict in just 11 hours and a guilty verdict on three counts was so historic because Derek Chauvin because the first ever white policeman in the state of Minnesota to be convicted for killing a Black person.
[Anchor]
U.S. President Joe Biden said the verdict could be a giant step forward for justice in America.
But he said the country was still plagued by systemic racism, which he called a stain on the nation's soul.
Vice President Kamala Harris also weighed in, saying racial injustice was a problem for every American.
[Clip: Harris]
"It is keeping us from fulfilling the promise for liberty and justice for all and it is holding our nation back from realizing our full potential. We are all a part of George Floyd's legacy and our job now is to honor it and to honor him."
