Breonna Taylor's mother says lack of charges for her killing show 'no justice for black people in America'
The mother of Breonna Taylor, who was shot dead in her bed by police in Kentucky, said the decision not to charge officers with her killing showed how the US justice system fails black people, as protesters vowed to continue demonstrating.
Ms Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical worker, was shot multiple times by white plainclothes officers after her boyfriend fired at them when they entered her home after midnight on a “no-knock” search warrant on March 13.
One officer was charged with wanton endangerment for firing into the home of Ms Taylor’s neighbour, in an indictment announced by Daniel Cameron, Kentucky’s Attorney General, on Wednesday. No charges were brought directly relating to her killing.
“I was reassured Wednesday why I had no faith in the legal system, in the police, in the law, which is not made to protect us black and brown people,” said Ms Taylor’s mother Tamika Palmer, in a statement read out by her sister, Bianca Austin.
Directing her ire at Mr Cameron, Ms Austin, who spoke on behalf of Ms Palmer - too emotional to address reporters herself - said: “He knew he had power to do the right thing, to start the healing of this city, to help mend over 400 years of oppression. What he helped me realise is it will always be us against them."
She went on to list what she saw as the failings in her daughter’s case, which has become a touchstone for protests across America. “Cameron alone didn’t fail her (...) the whole system failed her,” she said.
Ms Palmer stood by her sister’s side weeping, wearing a face mask reading "Black Queen" and an “I love Louisville police” t-shirt with yellow crime scene tape crossing out the word "police".
Benjamin Crump, a lawyer for Ms Taylor’s family, on Friday demanded the grand jury release transcripts of their proceedings “to know if anyone was giving a thought to Breonna Taylor.”
“If you want us to accept the result, release the transcript so we can have transparency,” Mr Crump told reporters at a press conference in a downtown Louisville park that has become known as Injustice Square.
“The police officer was charged with wanton endangerment for the bullets fired at white neighbours who lived next to her. There was no wanton endangerment charge for the bullets that went into Breonna’s apartment. There was no wanton endangerment charge for the bullets that mutilated Breonna’s body.
“There are two justice systems in America: one for black America and one white America. It underscores what we’ve been saying all along, and is only emphasised by this decision.”
Mr Crump said he is counting on a different, federal investigation for justice for the family, who have been left “heartbroken, confused and bewildered.”
Tamika Mallory, who has led the protests against racism and police brutality in Louisville, said that demonstrations would continue until fresh charges were brought.
Protesters have gathered every night since the decision was announced in cities including New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Portland - a city that has seen many protests since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Hundreds took to the streets for a second night in Louisville and a number of arrests were made, including of state Representative Attica Scott, the only black woman in the Kentucky legislature and the author of the proposed Breonna's Law, which would end "no-knock" warrants.
In Washington, DC, crowds gathered at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House. Authorities in Los Angeles say at least one person was hurt when a vehicle ran into a small crowd of people protesting police brutality.
The case has exposed the divide in the US over bringing justice for black Americans killed by authorities and the laws that allow officers to be charged, which regularly favour police.
