Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle released a statement upon the jury coming back with three guilty verdicts for the murderer of George Floyd, calling on people to realize that the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin is not the end of the battle for civil rights.

“True justice requires that we come to terms with the fact that Black Americans are treated differently, every day,” Obama posted on various social media platforms.  “It requires us to recognize that millions of our friends, family, and fellow citizens live in fear that their next encounter with law enforcement could be their last. And it requires us to do the sometimes thankless, often difficult, but always necessary work of making the America we know more like the America we believe in.”

The Obamas have been largely quiet about the Floyd case, even as they pursued civil rights and equal justice campaigns since leaving office four years ago, mentioning Floyd in some public appearances but avoiding explicitly calling for Chauvin’s conviction.  In the statement, however, President Obama said, “Today, a jury in Minneapolis did the right thing.”

Like President Biden, President and Mrs. Obama said that pursuing equal justice will predominantly fall to the efforts of younger generations.

“And as we continue the fight, we can draw strength from the millions of people — especially young people — who have marched and protested and spoken up over the last year, shining a light on inequity and calling for change. Justice is closer today not simply because of this verdict, but because of their work.”