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Reactions to announcement in Breonna Taylor case

The following is a collection of reactions to the Breonna Taylor grand jury indictments from posts on Twitter and via statements issued by elected officials and organizational leaders. Order does not imply either timing or importance.

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.”

State Democratic Legislative Leaders Joni Jenkins and Morgan McGarvey

“For months now, the too-short life and legacy of Breonna Taylor have shown us how much work remains to have justice that is swift and laws that help more than harm. As we absorb the full impact of today’s decision, we understand the shock, anger, and sorrow many feel. We believe as legislators the best way to honor Breonna and other victims is to propose and pass meaningful policies that address systemic racism and keep all of Kentucky’s communities safe. The fight for justice does not and cannot stop here.”

Louisville 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.”

Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky State Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates

“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.”

Michael Aldridge, executive director of the 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.”

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