Breonna Taylor’s Death: Protestors Hold 'Black Lives Matter' Posters In Louisville, NYC, LA After Jury Dismisses Charges Against American Cops

According to the authorities, the officers shot Taylor after her boyfriend fired at them. He said he didn’t know who was coming in and opened fire in self-defense, wounding one officer. Police entered on a warrant connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside. State Attorney General Daniel Cameron said Wednesday that the investigation showed officers acted in self-defense. One officer who has already been fired was charged with firing into a neighboring apartment. Bianca Austin, aunt of Breonna Taylor, speaks at a press conference in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 25, 2020. The family of Breonna Taylor on Friday demanded that US authorities release grand jury transcripts showing why no police will face direct criminal charges over her death, which has once again galvanized protesters angry about racism and police brutality in America. Jeff Dean / AFP

Breonna Taylor, a Black medical worker who was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in March during a botched raid on her apartment, led to wide-scale demonstrations in the spring and summer as the case drew more attention. Demonstrators pose for a photo in front of a local restaurant in the NULU neighborhood on a third day of protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor and the result of a grand jury inquiry, in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 25, 2020. Image: Jeff Dean / AFP

A police officer approaches protestors, responding to the call of someone throwing golf balls towards demonstrators from the top of a high rise building, outside of the First Unitarian Church of Louisville, on a third night of protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor and the result of a grand jury inquiry, in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 25, 2020. The family of Breonna Taylor today, September 25, demanded that US authorities release grand jury transcripts showing why no police will face direct criminal charges over her death, which has once again galvanized protesters angry about racism and police brutality in America. Jeff Dean / AFP

A grand jury indicted a former Louisville police officer on Wednesday for wanton endangerment for his actions during the raid. No charges were announced against the other two officers who fired shots, and no one was charged for causing Ms. Taylor’s death. Protestors hold a Black Lives Matter flag as they take refuge outside the First Unitarian Church of Louisville on a third night of protest over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor and the result of a grand jury inquiry, in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 25, 2020. Image: Jeff Dean / AFP

The FBI is still investigating whether Taylor’s civil rights were violated. But the burden of proof for such cases is very high, with prosecutors having to prove officers knew they were acting illegally and made a willful decision to cause someone’s death. While there was despair after the decision in Taylor’s case, others saw reasons to hope. Image: Jeff Dean / AFP

Since Taylor’s killing, Louisville has taken some steps to address protesters’ concerns. In addition to the officer who was fired and later charged, three others were put on desk duty. Officials have banned no-knock warrants and hired a Black woman as the permanent police chief — a first for the city. Louisville also agreed to more police reforms as it settled a lawsuit that included $12 million for Taylor’s family. But many have expressed frustration that more has not been done. Image: Jeff Dean / AFP

Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, said in a statement that the entire justice system had failed her, and state Attorney General Daniel Cameron was just the final person in the chain that included the officer who sought the no-knock warrant, the judge who signed it and the police who burst into her Louisville apartment. The warrant was connected to a suspect who did not live there and no drugs were found inside. Image: Jeff Dean / AFP

At least 24 people were arrested in the Louisville protests on Thursday night, including state Rep. Attica Scott, a Louisville Democrat. Scott said she was detained minutes before a curfew started as she was headed toward a church that protesters were congregating in. "It is clear that this alphabet soup of law enforcement that is here in Louisville, both local, state and federal law enforcement, are preparing for battle, for war against the people they are supposed to protect and serve," Scott said on Friday after spending the night in jail. Image: Jeff Dean / AFP

The curfew in Louisville will continue through the weekend and the governor called up the National Guard for "limited missions". Police eventually pulled back late on Thursday after negotiating with the demonstrators to end the protest. Authorities alleged the protesters broke windows at a restaurant, damaged city buses, tried to set a fire and threw a flare into the street. There were other protests in cities across the US, but no major problems were reported.Image: Jeff Dean / AFP

Mayor Greg Fischer of Louisville, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency this week in anticipation of possible “civil unrest” and, on Wednesday, ordered a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. for the next three nights. The city’s police chief, Robert J. Schroeder, also placed barricades and city vehicles downtown to restrict movement in the area and said he would not allow officers to request time off. Image: Jeff Dean / AFP