LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Today marks four years since Breonna Taylor was shot and killed by a Louisville police officer.
During a botched raid in March 2020, Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) officers broke down the door to Taylor’s apartment in the middle of night using a no-knock warrant. The Department of Justice (DOJ) later revealed police used falsified information to obtain the warrant.
In a news conference at Louisville City Hall on Wednesday, Metro Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright was joined by several local advocates where they provided updates on police reforms, discussed their push for the 'People's Consent Decree,' presented a detailed report on the ‘History of Policing’, and talked about the changes they wish to see.
The speeches were raw and emotional.
"Four years later after civil unrest, four years later we are still seeking accountability through our Louisville Metro Police Department, four years later no one has been held responsible for the killing of Breonna Taylor," Parrish-Wright said. "I was asked to show up because our young people wanted to make sure that they had a resource. That no one else will die while seeking justice for Breonna Taylor."
The conference lasted two hours as several city and community leaders spoke about what was on their hearts and mind on a day they're calling Breonna Taylor's 'remembrance anniversary.'
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"I hate that on March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor and Kenneth Walker became the perfect victims that represent the many harms caused by our Louisville Metro Police Department," Parrish-Wright said. "We are not anti-police as much as we are anti-corruption and violence."
Among the speakers was Taylor's aunt, Bianca Austin, who called Taylor the "glue to the family." She cited the need to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to implement further police reform.
"Remember 'Justice for Breonna Taylor' is a movement. I keep telling you all that. Take these little victories and keep going. There is no big 'I's' and little 'You's' in this movement. My niece deserves to be respected, honored," Austin said. "Breonna ain't never coming back. We ain't going to ever see the child again. It hurts, just think about how her mom feels. How we feel today. But this [effort] is uplifting, this is going to keep us going."
In a statement Wednesday, LMPD Chief Jackie Gwinn-Villaroel said:
"The trauma and the devastation that occurred in 2020 due to the death of Breonna Taylor remains with us. I recognize and acknowledge the impact on the entire Louisville community. LMPD is committed to being a better department for all citizens of Louisville and we will continue our reform efforts. I will continue to pray for the Taylor family, and for everyone whose life Breonna touched."
Parrish-Wright is pleading for people not to let up in their push for LMPD reform. That includes putting pressure on lawmakers and demanding a seat at the table for federal consent decree negotiations between the city and the DOJ.
At the same time Wednesday morning, fired LMPD detective Brett Hankison appeared in federal court over for a status hearing in what will be a retrial of his federal charges.
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys said they're on track to try the case again, with a trial date still set for October 15. A final pretrial conference is set for September 13, which will be in person.
Groups like Breeway and the ACLU of Kentucky are calling for a local ban of using tear gas on protesters. They want all remaining charges on protesters dropped. They're also pushing to have a seat at the table for consent decree negotiations.
"As we continue to move forward, keep the fire of accountability lit," Parrish-Wright said. "I'm asking you to use your role to be a resource to an ongoing movement to correct and right the many wrongs. We cannot build community and police relationships if people don't want to be honest and be held accountable."
On Monday, Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, joined U.S. Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03) and U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to announce the ‘Justice for Breonna Taylor Act.’
The bill would require federal officers announce their "authority or purpose," when serving warrants and take federal funding away from police departments who don't.
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