(via press release from the League)
League of Women Voters of Kentucky president Fran Wagner and League of Women Voters of Louisville president, Margie Charasika, issued the following statement on the decision in the death of Breonna Taylor:
The League of Women Voters of Kentucky and the League of Women Voters of Louisville stand with Breonna Taylor’s family and all Kentucky residents in grieving the death of Breonna Taylor. We regret the flaws in our culture, community, economic institutions, and justice system that allowed this tragedy to happen – including any role we have played in perpetuating those flaws.
We must not let the calls for change sparked by the death of Breonna and so many others go unheard. We cannot and will not let the killing of Black people go unquestioned and unchecked.
We call on our government and all elected leaders, our law enforcement officials, and all citizens to work to pass meaningful reforms that will address systemic racism throughout our institutions and systems. Justice for Breonna Taylor should entail more than policing and criminal justice reform. Calls for racial equity must include positive changes in health, housing, jobs, and education.
The League’s social policy focuses on securing equal rights and equal opportunity for everyone as a path to social and economic justice, health, and safety for all Americans. The League and its members hereby recommit ourselves to be part of the solution by listening, speaking up and out, calling for peaceful action and meaningful reforms, and changing our complicit behavior.
We will continue to send the message that voting is a powerful instrument for change in the democratic process and to help people exercise that right. That work inspires us and we welcome those who wish to join the effort.
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