Yesterday afternoon, the Louisville grand jury announced their ruling in the Breonna Taylor case — a young Black woman who was shot and killed in her home by three police officers in March.
Only one police officer was charged, and for “wanton endangerment” of apartment neighbors. No one was held accountable for the death of Breonna herself. You can read more specifics about the ruling via New York Times here.
People across the country were outraged and heartbroken by the lack of justice served, and took to the streets to make their voices heard and demand change. Here in NYC, following over 100 days of demonstrations against systemic racism, anti-Blackness, and police brutality, at least 3,000 New Yorkers gathered in the streets. They joined other protests in Louisville, Portland, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and more.
According to social media accounts that share news of protests, there were two demonstrations: one in Brooklyn that began at the Barclays Center, which has become a common meeting place throughout the past few months, and one at 59th and Fifth in Manhattan.
According to NYC Protest Updates on Twitter, which gathers their estimated numbers from police scanners, the group in Manhattan grew to 1,000 and the group in Brooklyn to 2,000, and both joined forces at 14th St. and 2nd Ave.
Approx 2,000 from Barclays now merging with 1,000 from 59th St. pic.twitter.com/PVCuXMnJWS
— PRO_NYC (@protest_nyc) September 24, 2020
The group echoed their frustration and solidarity with chants like “Black womxn are essential” and “Breonna, we love you. We miss you. We will keep fighting for you.”
If you would like to join the movement to demand justice,@justiceforgeorgenyc updates their Instagram. So far tonight, September 24, there is:
- Justice for Breonna Taylor Protest, Maria Hernandez Park at 5pm (Brooklyn)
- March and Ride for Breonna Taylor, Union Ave/Driggs Ave at 8:30pm (Brooklyn)
- Art Protest for Breonna Taylor at Soldiers and Sailors Monument, 89th and Riverside, 6-8pm (Manhattan)
For other actions you can take, Anti-Racism Daily recommends signing petitions to pass the BREATHE Act, donating to the Louisville Community Bail Fund, and sharing and supporting the list of demands from Black Lives Matter Louisville Organizers.
featured image source: Shutterstock (from June protest)