Upright I: “What I find extremely offensive is the narrative from the left that black people are not smart enough, not educated enough … to do what every other culture and race does in this country: get an ID.” —Congressman Burgess Owens

Upright II: “Reparations are both condescending and counterproductive, and to go down that path perpetuates a harmful racial stereotype and further divides our nation. … First, it is impractical and logistically impossible. It is also unfair and heartless to give Black Americans hope that reparations are a reality. Second, debates on reparations do not represent the rich history of a proud and tenacious community, who, like those of my lineage, worked, studied and overcame to live the American Dream. Third, reparations teach separation and convey a narrative that Black Americans are a hopeless, hapless and oppressed race entitled to handouts. The core of the debate certainly does not represent Black America’s potential, nor the 150 years of legal, social and economic progress achieved by millions of American minorities.” —Burgess Owens

Non compos mentis: “Thank you, George Floyd, for sacrificing your life for justice.” —House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

Race bait I: “So no. This verdict is not justice. … I also don’t want this moment to be framed as this system working.” —AOC

Race bait II: “A measure of justice isn’t the same as equal justice. This verdict brings us a step closer, and the fact is we still have work to do. We still must reform the system. … America has a long history of systemic racism.” —Kamala Harris

Race bait III: “The systemic racism is a stain on our nation’s soul. … Such a verdict is also much too rare. For so many people it seems like it took a unique and extraordinary convergence of factors. …  In order to deliver real change and reform, we can and we must do more to reduce the likelihood that a tragedy like this will ever happen to occur again. … And this takes acknowledging and confronting head on systemic racism and the racial disparities that exist in policing and in our criminal justice system more broadly.” —Joe Biden

Halls of injustice I: “I’m praying the [Derek Chauvin] verdict is the right verdict, which is — I think it’s overwhelming, in my view.” —Joe Biden before the verdict

Halls of injustice II: “Regardless of the decision made by the jury, there is one true reality, which is that George Floyd was killed at the hands of police.” —Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey before the verdict

Halls of injustice III: “The case, to me, feels like a closed case.” —Congresswoman Ilhan Omar before the verdict

And last… “The judge asked elected officials not to get involved and influence the jury. In response, the mayor of Minneapolis and the President of the United States both publicly called for guilty verdicts. These crooks have no respect for the rule of law at all. It’s a joke to them.” —Matt Walsh