A community event is underway Tuesday at the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in downtown Des Moines after three guilty verdicts in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd.

A flyer advertising the “Justice for George Floyd” event stated that there would be speeches, as well as “music, smiles and love”. In Minneapolis, thousands of people celebrate the verdict in the streets Tuesday.

Chauvin, 45, was found guilty of second and third degree murder and second degree manslaughter in a verdict read shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday. The judge revoked the bail and told Chauvin to show up in eight weeks for sentencing. Chauvin was handcuffed and taken into police custody.

More coverage Tuesday:

The former officer, who is white, was seen in video pinning George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, to the ground with his knee on the last Memorial Day for more than nine minutes after police responded to a report according to which Floyd had used a counterfeit $ 20. bill.

A small group of less than 20 people had gathered in downtown Des Moines at 7:30 p.m.

“We are in the middle of a war” against oppression and white supremacy, Pascha Morgan said at the event. Morgan also stressed the need to celebrate victories even if “the war is not over”.

Josie Mulvihill, a community activist and a high school student, said at the event that she and her mother cried when the verdict was read.

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Shelby Fleig covers the City of Des Moines government for the registry. Reach her at [email protected] or 515-214-8933.