Breonna Taylor’s mother: ‘A year later, we’re still asking for the system to do the right thing’
No charges related to 26-year-old Emergency Medical Technician’s death were filed
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Breonna Taylor’s mother has spoken out to mark the one-year anniversary of her daughter’s killing at the hands of police, saying she’s still “asking the system to do the right thing”.
In an interview with Good Morning Britain, Tamika Palmer discussed upcoming demonstrations over the weekend aimed at demanding “justice” and “accountability” for her daughter’s death.
“I don’t want people to treat this as if we’re celebrating her,” she told ITV, before adding: “Because we’re not, it’s one year later and we’re still asking for the system to do the right thing.”
She said: “I’ve never seen something so black and white be so hard, nobody willing to stand up and do what’s right or be the first person to do the right thing.”
“The disregard for Black lives is insane,” Ms Palmer said.
Ms Taylor, a decorated Emergency Medical Technician, 26, was shot dead by police officers in her apartment in Louisville on 13 March last year during a botched drug raid.
Three police officers fired rounds into Ms Taylor’s home after forcefully entering her apartment in the middle of the night while carrying out a warrant, striking the 26-year-old.
Police said they opened fire after Ms Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, who is a licensed gun owner, fired his gun once when officers attempted to enter, hitting one officer in the leg.
Mr Walker told police officers did not announce themselves and that he believed Ms Taylor’s ex-boyfriend was trying to break-in.
In the wake of Ms Taylor’s death, a grand jury formed by state Attorney General Daniel Cameron charged one officer with putting Ms Taylor’s neighbours in danger but issued no charges related to her death.
Two of the officers who fired shots were dismissed from the department, along with a detective who sought the warrant.
Ms Taylor’s family and the New York-based organisation Until Freedom have partnered to host several events over the weekend,The Courier Journal reported.
The events will include a large rally and march on Saturday in downtown Louisville beginning at 1pm EST at Jefferson Square Park.
In the wake of the killing, the city banned the use of ‘no-knock’ warrants last June, and officers are now required to wear body cameras while executing search warrants.
Louisville settled a lawsuit filed by Ms Palmer in September 2020 awarding her estate $12m and committing the city’s police department to reform and transparency measures.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments