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Derek Chauvin has been found\u00a0<\/span>guilty on all charges in the murder of George Floyd.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With this verdict of\u00a0<\/span>guilty<\/span>, coming so soon after the death of Daunte Wright, w<\/span>e encourage our Warrior community<\/span>\u00a0to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>acknowledge\u00a0<\/span>those of us most affected by this ongoing trauma and pain.<\/span>\u00a0We recognize the trauma, outrage, fear, and grief many continue to experience \u2013 especially our students, faculty, and staff of color.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As an institution of higher learning, Winona State supports the freedom of speech, freedom of expression,\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>the right to peacefully protest, and\u00a0<\/span>affirms our mission\u00a0<\/span>to serve as strong advocates for social change. Our campus will remain a safe and inclusive place for those peaceful protests to occur<\/span>. We\u00a0<\/span>expect any demonstrations to be respectful whether they take place on or off campus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Winona State stands with the Black community and firmly against racism, hate<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and bigotry. We embrace diversity and are resolute in working towards equity for all.\u00a0<\/span>Despite the COVID-19<\/span>\u00a0pandemic<\/span>, t<\/span>his past year has brought\u00a0<\/span>us together as a community f<\/span>or discussion, learning, growth<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and change. We have\u00a0<\/span>made progress on the goals<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>we\u00a0<\/span>laid out last year, but there is more work to do.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We will not rest until Winona State University, Winona, and Rochester are truly equitable and inclusive.\u00a0<\/span>We ask that you<\/span>\u00a0join us on this<\/span>\u00a0continued<\/span>\u00a0journey of learning and action.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n