Statement on DOJ Announcement on the Killing of Breonna Taylor

P O S I T I O N  S T A T E M E N T 
August 4, 2022

Breonna Taylor’s life has always mattered. It mattered to her mother. It mattered to her family. It mattered to the Louisville Urban League and every protestor who raised their voices with us and put their safety and security on the line in her name.  Like much of the Louisville community, we are still reeling from today’s Department of Justice announcement regarding the indictment of four Louisville police officers for their role in the unlawful killing of Breonna Taylor and the subsequent coverup. The cloud hanging over our city for two years has begun to clear, and we can finally release the breath we’ve collectively held for 874 days. 

Waiting on justice has been traumatic for all of us, but none more than Tamika Palmer, Kenneth Walker, and their families. They have endured more trauma and indignity at the hands of police and inept actions by government officials than anyone should ever face. Thank you for your strength, your courage, and your persistent call for justice, not only for Breonna, but for our entire community. We thank the Department of Justice and the agents of the Louisville office of the FBI for their diligence and steadfast commitment to justice. 

Over the past two and a half years, we have watched with some relief as other communities successfully indicted and convicted the perpetrators of heinous crimes–like the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. Meanwhile, nothing of substance happened in Louisville. 

We now want to know how state officials investigating the Breonna Taylor case and the Federal Government could be so far apart on the outcome. What information did our Attorney General have, where did he get it, and what did he present to the grand jury? We want to know the exact reasons for recusals, and why some agencies were not involved in prosecuting this matter. With the exception of Interim Police Chief, Yvette Gentry, a Black woman, who had the courage to step in and fire officers, the people in Kentucky responsible for seeking out justice stood still. Any measure of fairness seemed illusive, but today’s announcement renews some hope in the idea that we–Black people in Louisville–are seen and have equal access to justice.

And to the Louisville community, Until Freedom and others who traveled to us–those who marched, protested, and wept while we held the line– thank you for your willingness to always #sayhername.  Thank you for understanding the courage that justice demands. You’ve said her name in public spaces, corporate spaces, and faith spaces unafraid and unapologetic. You’ve said her name in the face of relentless physical, economic, and political trauma. We understand as well as anyone just how long the arc of the moral universe can feel, but today, it bends a little more towards justice because you continued to say Breonna Taylor’s name.  

Over the last century, the Louisville Urban League has celebrated every time the arc bent “a little more.” Given the despair in this city, “a little more” may not seem like a reason to celebrate today. But trauma drains energy; when we pause to celebrate small victories, we renew our spirits for the other hurdles we face. Let’s acknowledge the power of our collective voice and the far reach of each individual’s “little” vote. In 2020, America elected an administration that installed new, competent, justice-minded leaders at the helm of the Department of Justice. Today’s historic announcement would not be possible without them. This President of this United States of America, appointed this Attorney General, who allowed this Department of Justice to fulfill the charge to, “administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon them under the Constitution of the United States.” An election changed the outcome in this case. 

Today’s announcement doesn’t mean our work is complete; it means the process can work for us even when we are aware of the ways the system works against us. We will never agree with every politician on every issue, but that is no reason to walk away from the process. Because where we do agree, our votes matter. We must continue to align our voices with our votes to ensure that other mothers do not have to grieve the way Tamika Palmer grieves. Further, we must continue to push for the immediate dismissal and expungement of all charges against every protester arrested in the city of Louisville. We were forced to the streets because no one would listen when we said the warrant was invalid, and the police should never have been at her home. Today’s victory would not have happened without our civil disobedience and righteous rage. 

We also want to thank the legal team of Ben Crump, Sam Aguiar, and our own, Lonita Baker, now President of the National Bar Association. Lonita Baker has stood on the front line in this nationally-significant case and simultaneously showed up as the lead volunteer for expungement cases for Urban League clients. 

Justice for Breonna Taylor is not complete. There is more to come from the Department of Justice, and there is more work to be done in this city. But today, we are grateful for what has been done. And we will forever say her name! Now, we ask every person who held the line with us today, to VOTE as if your very life depends on it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
[email protected] | (502) 512-3681

About the Louisville Urban League
The Louisville Urban League assists African Americans and those at the margins in attaining social and economic equality and stability through direct services and advocacy. For more information, go to lul.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter  (@louisvilleUL), or Instagram (@louisville_ul).