Minnesotans whose loved ones were killed by police condemn state GOP for praying for Derek Chauvin

Minnesota residents with loved ones who died at the hands of police spoke out Thursday about the state Republican Party holding a public prayer for Derek Chauvin, the former police officer in prison for murdering George Floyd.

“You all had the opportunity to honor fallen soldiers or children who lost their lives,” said Courteney Ross, Floyd’s girlfriend and who was visibly emotional through “tears of outrage.” “Instead, you took precious time to purposefully hurt everyone who loved Floyd. And every other family who has lost a loved one to the police. ”

Valerie Castile, the mother of Philando Castile, a 32-year-old school cafeteria worker who was shot and killed by a Minnesota police officer in 2016, echoed what...