For the past six months, we’ve said Breonna Taylor’s name and rallied around the fact that the police officers who killed her had not been arrested. It turned into a movement about police violence and racial injustice surrounding the March 13 death of the 26-year-old award-winning EMT who was killed by three Louisville, Kentucky, plainclothes police officers who used a no-knock search warrant to enter her home as she lay asleep in her bed.
Breonna’s death sparked Instagram posts in her honor, hashtags spreading support for her case, Vanity Fair and Oprah magazine cover stories, billboards with phone numbers to call to demand justice, T-shirts sharing her likeness, and think pieces from the New York Times to Time magazine.
There was also a no-knock law passed in her name. “Breonna’s Law” prohibits all Louisville Metro law enforcement officers from seeking or executing no-knock warrants, which allow officers to enter a home without giving warning or clearly identifying themselves.
But at the end of the day, she was Bree, a young lady who liked to write down her goals on Post-it notes that she posted on the walls of her home. She had dreams of becoming a nurse. Breonna was a daughter, a granddaughter, a sister, a best friend.
“Breonna, she was a great person," said Tamika Palmer, Breonna's mother in a statement on JusticeForBreonna.org. "You don’t like to call people perfect, but she really was perfect. She did everything right as far as trying to be a kid coming into an adult life. She loved to help people, she loved to be around family. She loved life and she was just figuring hers out. She was just getting started.”
As a grand jury came forward with indictment charges in late September, none of the officers were charged in Breonna’s death. Instead, one officer was charged for three counts of "wanton endangerment." Many people are feeling hopeless, angry, hurt, and helpless wondering how to continue to demand justice. The thing about being part of a movement is that, as hard as it may feel in the moment, you must keep going forward for things to change.
Here are some ways to make sure her life and the accountability for her death is not forgotten.
Demand Change
Demand Congress to pass the BREATHE Act, a radical reimagining of public safety, community care, and how we spend money as a society. The bill's summary basically states that it would lead to the defunding of federal programs that expand criminal/legal system (like ICE). Focus on on making changes to criminal legal system that targets Black, POC and LGBTQA+ communities. We can also seek to restructure community safety initiatives to reduce the need for police, and to reallocate money wisely in a way that benefits communities over institutions.
Donate
Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund, a project of BLM Louisville. This aids the protesters demonstrating against the Breonna Taylor case verdict.
Protests are likely to spread beyond Louisville, so donations will be spread across over 70 bail funds throughout the country.
Email & Call Elected Officials
Even if you are not a Louisville resident, you can make these calls.
Email Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer here at [email protected]. His phone is disconnected, but you can reach his staff.
Here are some important numbers to call:
Chief Financial Officer Daniel Frockt: 502-574-6095
Communications Director Jean Porter: 502-584-2383
Chief of Staff Katie Dailinger: 502-574-1905
Resilience & Community Services Director Michael Meeks: 502-574-6848
You’ll most likely be connected to an answering service. Be kind, yet firm. Here’s a sample template:
Hi, my name is [NAME].
I am calling you about Breonna Taylor, who was killed by LMPD officers. I’m calling to echo the demands of Breonna’s family:
End the use of unjust force by LMPD.
Terminate all of the officers who killed Breonna Taylor.
Make sure LMPD provides all information to the local, independent civilian community police accountability council.
Create policy for transparent investigation processes on law enforcement misconduct.
Eliminate no-knock warrants in all 50 states.
Thank you.
Contact State Attorney General Daniel Cameron. Follow this link to a contact form and use the above template.
Contact Interim Deputy Police Chief Yvette Gentry here using the template above.
Donate to the Justice for Breonna Taylor GoFundMe
Organized by Breonna’s aunt, this fund will go toward creating a foundation focusing on police reform, community youth programs, scholarships, and donating to Breonna’s favorite charitable organizations. It will also cover the family’s legal fees and expenses incurred by Breonna’s mom in the fight for justice for her daughter.
The Family Is Accepting Art Dedicated to Breonna
For those who would like to create a painting or drawing or even a card, it can be sent to:
The Family of Breonna Taylor
P.O. BOX 161538
Louisville, KY 40258
Continue to Sign Petitions
Change.org: This ongoing petition to sign for justice for Breonna’s death has a current goal of 12 million signatures.
Stand with Breonna: A grassroots petition with the intent of getting justice for Breonna and stopping further police killings like hers.
Buy This 'Justice for Breonna' T-Shirt
$45
from
Phenomenal Woman
The proceeds from this T-shirt will go directly into the Breonna Taylor Foundation, through Justice for Breonna. Or, click here to donate directly to the "Say Her Name" campaign, which since 2014 has worked with the families of Black women killed by police.
