Breonna Taylor protesters flood US streets

Breonna Taylor protesters flood US streets

Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was an emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by white officers after Taylor's boyfriend fired at them, authorities said. He said he didn't know who was coming in and opened fire in self-defense, wounding one officer. Police entered on a warrant connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside

AgenciesUpdated: Friday, September 25, 2020, 10:23 PM IST
article-image
PIC: AFP

Some of them raised their fists and called out "Black lives matter!" Others tended to the letters, flowers and signs grouped together in a square in downtown Louisville. All of them said her name: Breonna Taylor.

People dismayed that the officers who shot the Black woman in her apartment during a drug raid last March wouldn't be charged with her death vowed to persist in their fight for justice. The big question for a town torn apart by Taylor's death and the larger issue of racism in America was how to move forward.

Many turned to the streets - as they did in several U.S. cities - to call for reforms to combat racist policing.

"We've got to take it lying down that the law won't protect us, that they can get away with killing us," said Lavel White, a regular protester in downtown Louisville who is Black. He was drawn to a march Thursday night because he was devastated by a grand jury's decision a day earlier not to charge the officers.

"If we can't get justice for Breonna Taylor, can we get justice for anybody?" He was angry that police in riot gear were out in force when protesters had been peaceful as they streamed through the streets of downtown Louisville past a nighttime curfew. Demonstrators also gathered in places like Philadelphia and New York, a day after violence marred some protests, including a shooting that wounded two Louisville officers.

Taylor, a Black woman who was an emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by white officers after Taylor's boyfriend fired at them, authorities said. He said he didn't know who was coming in and opened fire in self-defense, wounding one officer. Police entered on a warrant connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside.

State Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Wednesday that the investigation showed officers acted in self-defense. One officer who has already been fired was charged with firing into a neighboring apartment.

The FBI is still investigating whether Taylor's civil rights were violated. But the burden of proof for such cases is very high, with prosecutors having to prove officers knew they were acting illegally and made a willful decision to cause someone's death.

While there was despair after the decision in Taylor's case, others saw reasons to hope.

Reginique Jones said she'll keep pressing for increased police accountability and for a statewide ban on "no knock" warrants - the kind issued in the Taylor case, though the state attorney general said the investigation showed police announced themselves before busting into her apartment.

"I believe that we are going to get past this," Jones said as she returned Thursday to the park in downtown Louisville that has been at the center of the protests. "We can still get some justice." Taylor's family planned to speak Friday in the park that's become known as Injustice Square.

The case has exposed the divide in the U.S. over bringing justice for Black Americans killed by authorities and the laws that allow officers to be charged, which regularly favor police.

Since Taylor's killing, Louisville has taken some steps to address protesters' concerns. In addition to the officer who was eventually charged being fired, three others were put on desk duty. Officials have banned no-knock warrants and hired a Black woman as the permanent police chief - a first for the city.

RECENT STORIES

Paris Viral Video: High Voltage Drama At Charles de Gaulle Airport As Migrants Protest Against...

Paris Viral Video: High Voltage Drama At Charles de Gaulle Airport As Migrants Protest Against...

Pakistan Horror: Man Strangulates Sister To Death In Family's Presence; Shocking Crime...

Pakistan Horror: Man Strangulates Sister To Death In Family's Presence; Shocking Crime...

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Racist Posts Target Indian Crew On Social Media Following Collision

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: Racist Posts Target Indian Crew On Social Media Following Collision

'Undoubtedly Saved Lives': US Prez Joe Biden Lauds Quick Action By Indian Crew Members In Baltimore...

'Undoubtedly Saved Lives': US Prez Joe Biden Lauds Quick Action By Indian Crew Members In Baltimore...

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: 6 Missing Presumed Dead, Says Maryland State Police; Rescue Ops Underway

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: 6 Missing Presumed Dead, Says Maryland State Police; Rescue Ops Underway