Four years ago, on March 13th, 26-year-old Breonna Taylor was fatally shot during a police raid in Louisville, Kentucky. Seven plain-clothed White officers forcibly entered her home with a so-called ‘no-knock’ warrant as part of an investigation. It meant they didn’t have to declare their presence or purpose and they opened fire 32 times. One officer fired 10 ‘blind’ shots through a covered window and glass door.
An autopsy revealed Breonna, a Black emergency room technician, died from five bullet wounds to the chest. It sparked protests across the country with demonstrators using the slogan #SayHerName.
No officer has been indicted for the homicide. According to data collected by Washington Post, Black people constitute about 13% of the population in the USA – yet make up a quarter of those killed by police every year. That’s twice more than their White counterparts who make up the bulk of the population.
Many of these killings of Black people living in America are unwarranted, unarmed, unprovoked and disproportionate. Despite racial and civic justice protests since the 1950’s and beyond, they continue.
However, there has been one positive development on the anniversary of Breonna’s death. Kentucky Senator, Rand Paul, has reintroduced a bill aimed at creating a nationwide ban on no-knock warrants. It’s called the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act.
May she rest in peace.