On Friday (June 25), former Minnesota police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 and a half years for the murder of George Floyd.

As the entire world knows by now, the former cop fatally suffocated Floyd in May 2020 by pressing his knee into his neck as he laid on the street, handcuffed and crying out to his late mother, while struggling to say that he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin didn’t take Floyd’s pleas seriously, and he later passed away from “cardiopulmonary arrest” brought on by “law enforcement subdual, restraint and neck compression,” a chief medical examiner confirmed.

So, in April 2021, the former policeman was held accountable for his actions and was found guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Since then, millions of people in America and around the world waited impatiently to learn what sentencing Chauvin would receive for his crimes. When it was revealed today — though there were a number of mixed reactions — the general opinion was that justice was served.

Two people who are happy about the sentencing are Selwyn Jones and Angela Harrelson, Floyd’s uncle and aunt, respectively. In exclusive statements to REVOLT, they revealed their thoughts about Chauvin’s upcoming prison time.

“This is what justice for George looks like. This is a major turning point for our country because it holds Derek Chauvin accountable for his crime. After his conviction, there was a sense of relief but after today’s sentencing there’s a sense of vindication. No one thought he would get this much time behind bars but I think the judge made the right call and I’m very thankful,” Jones told us.

Harrelson continued: “Today’s sentencing is an absolute vindication. It feels like we’ve finally achieved justice for George. I want to thank the prosecution for building a tremendous case that shined a light on the truth of what happened. I’m grateful to the judge for delivering accountability. This is not about hatred, it’s about overdue change. This world so desperately needs to make it a better place for Black America and for all people in this world to live fairly. Equality is not an option, it is a birthright for all people.”