LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Reactions are pouring in from across the country to a Jefferson County grand jury's indictment of Det. Brett Hankison on three wanton endangerment charges in the raid on Breonna Taylor's home that resulted in her death.
Below is a running list of responses to Wednesday's news, categorized alphabetically:
ACLU of Kentucky
ACLU of Kentucky “Today’s announcement is the latest miscarriage of justice in our nation’s long history of denying that Black lives matter. Once again, a prosecutor has refused to hold law enforcement accountable for killing a young Black woman. Breonna Taylor should still be alive today. We join the Taylor family and the community in protesting and mourning the Commonwealth’s choice to deny justice for Breonna.
Breonna Taylor was killed when plainclothes officers used a no-knock warrant to enter her home in the middle of the night. They did not even perform life-saving measures as she took her last breaths after they shot her five times. Throughout this tragic series of events, including today, the police and prosecutors continuously have failed Breonna Taylor, her family, and Black Kentuckians.
This outcome shows us that true police accountability does not exist in Kentucky. Police accountability will not exist until every level of government works to prevent police violence and hold law enforcement responsible every single time they abuse their power, not just in high profile cases.
The results of this investigation reflect insufficient standards for police use of force, government-sanctioned violence and terror in communities of color, and a need to completely rebuild our justice system.
The ACLU of Kentucky will continue working with community leaders, activists, and elected officials to radically change policing so this never happens again.”
Advancement Project National Office
Advancement Project National Office “Again, the criminal legal system has protected police and not Black lives. Again, we are seeing no justice. We must continue to demand a radical transformation of this so-called public safety system so that we can all be free and safe,” said Judith Browne Dianis , executive director of Advancement Project National Office. “Let’s organize, protest, vote and repeat. Our power is the change agent.”
“While today’s decision is disappointing, it is not surprising that the criminal legal system has once again failed to provide a semblance of justice for Breonna Taylor’s family,” explained Thomas B. Harvey , director of Advancement Project National Office’s Justice Project. “We have to dedicate ourselves to finding justice for Breonna and accountability for her killers outside of this racist legal system. Defunding the police is just the beginning.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez "Her family deserves so much more. It's just weighing really heavy on my heart, and because we know that her death is not just the result of one person but the system, structure, and department that failed their entire community."
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz
Pull Quote "I again join with citizens throughout our community and the nation in mourning the tragic death of Breonna Taylor.
Whatever our reaction to decisions by the Grand Jury and the Attorney General’s Office, we must now come together to work for racial justice. There is no question that our nation’s original sin of racism continues to destroy and harm the lives of persons of color and that racism extends through so many systems of our society….educational, economic, religious, housing, criminal justice, voting, and employment.
Our Church stands ready to work with civic, community, educational, business, and non-profit partners to address these issues.
I join with people of faith and good will to plead for peace and the rejection of violence as citizens exercise their first amendment right to protest. Let us all join in prayers for Breonna Taylor’s family and friends and for justice, peace, and healing in our community.
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D.
Archbishop of Louisville"
Ben Crump
Ben Crump "Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts former ofc. Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor. This is outrageous and offensive!
If Brett Hankison's behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor's apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder!"
Black Lives Matter Louisville
Black Lives Matter Louisville "At this moment, since the beginning of the pandemic, but also since the beginning of global uprisings in the movement for Black lives, we shouldn't be too surprised at what’s happening.
What is frustrating is that white supremacy, this government and its elected officials continue to deny us healing and any taste of what real justice looks like. Justice in this country is nonexistent. To those in power, "justice" is hungry kids, it's police terror in our neighborhoods over our lives. It's allowing Mitch McConnell to stay in office by buying votes. It's Trump stealing elections and blaming the media for it. It's other pussy grabbers and white Karens calling the police on Black boys and girls.
This country hasn’t changed. This country hasn’t come to the realization that fascism was its only goal. We move every day for capitalism and not for humanity. Instead of bringing in paths for healing, we keep bringing in more law enforcement, more military and more representations of the systems we desperately need to dismantle.
Shaunna Thomas, Executive Director at UltraViolet, added:
Today, after six months of fierce outrage, peaceful protests, and more killings by the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department - a grand jury in Kentucky has shown us the pervasiveness of white supremacy and the need to continue to demand justice for Breonna Taylor.
The indictment of Brett Hankison on charges of reckless endangerment is an insult to the idea of justice. Hankison, along with his colleagues Mattingly and Cosgrove are murderers, who killed Breonna Taylor in her own home. There will be no justice until all of the officers who killed Breonna are held accountable for her murder.
“For the past six months, we have stood behind Black Lives Matter Louisville and the Louisville community in demanding that Mayor Greg Fischer and AG Daniel Cameron fire, arrest, charge and revoke the pensions of the three police officers responsible for Breonna Taylor’s death. In the face of Taylor’s murder - they have done nothing but perpetuate police violence and white supremacy.
UltraViolet and our members will continue to support BLM Louisville activists, and demand that all three police officers responsible for Taylor’s death be fired, arrested and charged; that the Louisville police department be defunded; and that Mayor Fischer resign immediately.
This fight is far from over."
Cato Institute
Cato Institute "Today's decision by a grand jury to indict only one of the officers responsible for Breonna Taylor's death—and then only for blindly spraying shots into neighboring apartments during the botched raid—will further underscore widespread perception that there is rarely any justice for victims of police misconduct. And even if the grand jury's decision to give two of the officers responsible for Taylor's death a free pass might arguably be defensible as a purely legal matter, the fact that they were at her door with a no-knock warrant in hand illustrates how fundamentally reckless the system has become. Unfortunately, it appears the only justice we can hope for in this case is a recognition that the time has finally come to end America's cruel, immoral, and pointless war on drugs."
Council on American-Islamic Relations
Council on American-Islamic Relations “This is not justice. Innocent people were not merely endangered during this police shooting. An innocent person was murdered. If Kentucky will not hold all the responsible officers accountable for the death of Breonna Taylor, the Justice Department must do so.”
Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr
Golden State Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr "It's just so demoralizing. It's so discouraging. I just keep thinking about the generation of American kids of any color; is this the way we want to raise them? Is this the country we want to live in? There's just so much violence. There's so much shooting.
It comes in so many forms, whether it's school shootings or vigilanteism or police brutality, neighbor to neighbor. There's just so much violence, and it's demoralizing when we can't be accountable or hold anyone to account for it.
The really demoralizing thing is we have a really powerful movement that's happening. We have so many people who care about this country and so many people who want change and believe in equal justice for Black and brown communities, and yet we don't have it. It's such a tough hill to climb, but this long history of racism that we have in our country continues, and it continues in the form of this kind of violence, state-sanctioned violence over and over again that we're seeing, and it's devastating."
Grassroots Law Project
Grassroots Law Project “Today, Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced that the grand jury failed to indict any of the officers for Breonna Taylor’s death, and that they would indict only Officer Brett Hanksinson with shots fired into other apartments during the senseless killing,” said Attorney Lee Merritt, co-founder of the Grassroots Law Project . “The failure to fire, arrest and indict the officers for killing killed Breonna Taylor is a miscarriage of justice that reveals how broken and unequal the legal system is in America.”
“Attorney General David Cameron and the Louisville Metropolitan Police Department (LMPD) had every opportunity and multiple incentives to do the right thing,” said Yodit Tewolde, an attorney with the Grassroots Law Project . “At every turn, they have doubled down on their commitment to uphold white supremacy and reinforce the commonly held belief that police are above the law.”
“While LMPD was quick to arrest residents on suspicion of mundane matters, they let the individuals responsible for Taylor’s killing walk free,” said Shaun King, activist and co-founder of the Grassroots Law Project . “They did this while dragging out the investigation, leaving residents to cope with the devastating, even if predictable, news of their decision.”
“Sadly, officials in Louisville denied the dignity of life and turned a blind eye to the tremendous harm wrought by one of their own,” King added. “This decision, masquerading under presumed logic, is yet another signal to the local police department and law enforcement across the country that Black lives are not worthy of recognizing or saving. Breonna Taylor should be alive today. Her killers are in jail. Until the people responsible are held to account, pleas for peace will fall on weary hearts and unreceptive ears.”
Joe Biden, former vice president
Joe Biden "Breonna Taylor was a beloved daughter, member of her community, and an essential worker who served as an E.M.T. as COVID-19 began to spread. But she died, shot in her own home by the police. In the wake of her tragic death, we mourn with her mother, family, and community and ask ourselves whether justice could be equally applied in America.
I know for so many people today’s decision does not answer that call. A federal investigation remains ongoing, but we do not need to wait for the final judgment of that investigation to do more to deliver justice for Breonna. We know what is necessary. We need to start by addressing the use of excessive force, banning choke holds, and overhauling no-knock warrants. I know people are frustrated and they have a right to peacefully protest, but violence is never acceptable. And we can express pain, grief, anger, and disappointment at the way things are, but remain focused on rebuilding trust in our communities and delivering change that can be.
We must continue to speak Breonna Taylor’s name, support her family still in grieving, and never give up on ensuring the full promise of America for every American."
Kent J. Wicker, attorney for Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly
Kent J. Wicker, Attorney for Sgt. Jon Mattingly "The grand jury's decision to not indict Sgt. Mattingly or Det. Cosgrove shows that the system worked and that grand jurors recognized and respected the facts of the case. The death of Breonna Taylor is a tragedy. But these officers did not act in a reckless or unprofessional manner. They did their duty, performed their roles as law enforcement officers and, above all, did not break the law."
Kentucky GOP
Kentucky GOP “The death of Breonna Taylor was a tragedy and we understand the grief and pain felt by many in Louisville and across our state and country – especially her loved ones, whom we will continue to keep in our prayers.
“With today’s announcement, Kentuckians see Attorney General Cameron’s commitment to justice and the rule of law at work. We applaud him and his team for working tirelessly to conduct this investigation with integrity and impartiality, following the facts to the truth – regardless of outside influence and external political pressures.”
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer "I support the grand jury process. Obviously I have not been privy to look at all of the information that was part of the process, but I respect the process, and where it's taking us right now. So as the information that was considered comes out in the future, we’ll have the opportunity to weigh on whether or not I agree with what the resolution of the case was."
Metro Council President David James
Metro Council President David James “The Attorney General has announced the Grand Jury’s findings. Now the legal system must follow through on what the grand jury has determined. As a city, we must have the patience needed to allow the legal system to work and move forward. This decision is the next part of the process. I know there is great disappointment, anger and frustration with the announcement of the Grand Jury’s findings. I am sure there are many who want to vent that anger, but violence is not the answer. Working for change is a better way.
In the meantime, we on the Metro Council continue to listen to the community and work with protestors and all interested parties throughout Louisville Metro on the needed reforms and concerns which have come to light since the death of Breonna Taylor. Many of these problems did not pop up overnight. It will take time and understanding by all parties to make change happen.
Now is the time to continue the healing process. To move forward with necessary reforms and to come together as one community."
Oprah
Oprah "My heart goes out to Tamika Palmer, who has to be reminded, again and again, that her 'baby won’t be coming through that door.'"
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky
Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky “This is one more example of state-sanctioned violence against Black people and an assault against their ability to live freely. This is a painful loss for the family of Breonna Taylor, and for Louisville and the state of Kentucky. This country is grappling with a racial reckoning — around police violence, the disproportionate impact on COVID-19, and racist and discriminatory systems that impact access to health care. The delta between justice and freedom is vast.
The police officers who killed a sleeping woman were found innocent and will not face criminal charges, and the remaining officer was charged with ‘wanton endangerment.’ Attorney General Cameron’s decision is not the justice Breonna Taylor deserves. Cameron continues to claim the “truth” is before us. The truth is, he has failed Breonna, her grieving family, and our entire community. This is why thousands across the country are marching in the street demanding justice and accountability.
Racism permeates every structure in our society. If Black people do not have the right to bodily autonomy to live their daily lives — or protest the violence against their lives — without the fear of violence or murder, we can never achieve justice, let alone reproductive freedom.
This is another call to action to dismantle white supremacy and transform the police and systems that have long created an unjust world for Black and Brown people. Every system that governs us — education, policing, transportation, housing, health care, and more — needs accountability. We will continue the fight for Breonna Taylor.”
Rep. John Yarmuth
Rep. John Yarmuth "Yesterday, a day before a grand jury chose not to charge him, one of the officers who broke into Breonna Taylor's home and shot her to death wrote, 'I know we did the legal, moral and ethical thing that night.'
In no sense could this be considered moral or ethical. That this killing has been deemed "legal," that an officer involved could *still* feel that her death was justified, shows how very, very far we still have to go.
No, Breonna Taylor's killing was neither moral nor ethical, and it's past time for the law to reflect that. Breonna did not deserve to be killed in her home. She deserves justice.
I join the many who demand change so that no one has to face the same "legal" fate as Breonna Taylor, in our community or anywhere else, ever again."
The Rev. Al Sharpton
Reverend Al Sharpton "The Louisville Grand Jury failing to indict any of the officers for the death of Breonna Taylor is a gross and blatant miscarriage of Justice. The officer charged could have gotten that charge if he shot his gun in the air, it does not include or address the value of the life taken in this case. We do call for non violent but passionate protest and also an aggressive voter turnout in a state that has races with serious national ramifications."
Sam Aguiar, an attorney for the Taylor family
Sam Aguiar "Way to really rub it in. Three counts for the shots into the apartment of the white neighbors, but no counts for the shots into the apartment of the black neighbors upstairs above Breonna’s. Let alone everything else you got wrong.
I’m so sorry Breonna. And Tamika. And Juniyah. And Kenny. And Bianca. And Tahasha. And everyone. This isn’t right and I should’ve done more."
Secretary of State Michael Adams
Secretary of State Michael Adams “Attorney General Cameron has shown immense courage in taking on the investigation of the killing of Breonna Taylor; great diligence in painstakingly running down every lead; and extraordinary grace under pressure in detailing his findings before the eyes of our country. A prosecutor’s highest duty is not charges or convictions, but justice, even when it leads to an emotionally unsatisfactory result.
The Attorney General, and the sitting grand jury in Jefferson County, applied the facts to the law. Our next step as a Commonwealth is to improve the law. I applaud the Attorney General’s efforts toward improvement of our justice system, and I hope that reform legislation will be enacted in the 2021 legislative session, if not sooner.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer
Sen. Chuck Schumer "This is wrong. Breonna Taylor’s life mattered. She deserves justice. Her family deserves justice. Unjust laws produce unjust outcomes. This must end. The Senate must pass the Justice in Policing Act."
U of L Athletic Director Vince Tyra
U of L Athletic Director Vince Tyra "Today's announcement by state of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron of charges against Officer Brett Hankison related to the killing of Breonna Taylor will not bring closure to a community in pain and certainly not to Breonna's loved ones.
While the judicial system will determine accountability in the months ahead, I feel for all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, especially for those who believe that justice has not been served today. We are providing resources and support to anyone in Louisville Athletics who needs it as noted in President Bendapudi's earlier communication. We are a family, and on days like today, families must lean on each other.
It is my sincere hope that any protests are peaceful in our beloved city and that the voices of those in pain and in anger are heard loudly. We will continue to monitor developments in the hours and days ahead and make any necessary adjustments to our athletic training or competition schedules, if warranted.
Today is a difficult day for the city of Louisville, the University of Louisville, the athletic department and for all of those impacted by today's announcement. Our thoughts are with you."
U of L President Neeli Bendapudi
U of L President Neeli Bendapudi "Dear Cardinal Family,
Moments ago, a Louisville grand jury indicted one of the three officers involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor on March 13th, but not on charges related to her killing. While I am pleased that the grand jury has acknowledged the unlawful actions of this police officer and that he will be tried for the unnecessary violence he caused that night, I am disappointed that our justice system allows these atrocities to occur all too often with relatively little consequence.
Today’s announcement of charges does not change the fact that Breonna Taylor was killed in her home, another Black woman who lost her life at the hands of law enforcement. It does not fix a system that allowed that to happen. A new study by Harvard researchers finds that Black people are three times more likely on average than white people to be killed during a police interaction.
If you need help processing this news, please reach out to one of the many resources available to you as a member of our UofL community. The Counseling Center will offer virtual and personal counseling sessions for students. The Employee Assistance Program will provide counseling services for faculty and staff.
Today’s announcement is a reminder that we must recommit to pursuing racial justice and pushing for changes in law enforcement, our legal system, public policy and our educational curricula.
Change will not come easy. We acknowledge that the path of progress has seldom run smoothly and we are more determined than ever to seek racial equity and justice.
As the late civil rights icon and U.S. Congressman John Lewis said:
"Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part."
As I said in an earlier email, let us do our best to demonstrate to one another during this historic and difficult time that we are truly a community of care that values diversity and inclusion and respects our people, irrespective of their positions. I commit again to you today that I will do my part in the ongoing fight to ensure social justice, equal opportunity for all and the elimination of all forms of racism. I hope you will join me."
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