Breonna Taylor Statement
Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was killed in her home on March 13, 2020, by police bursting in, armed and unannounced, with a “no knock” search warrant. Yesterday a Kentucky grand jury indicted Detective Brett Hankison on charges of first-degree wanton endangerment for shots fired into an adjacent apartment, but filed no charges against the officers who shot and killed Breonna Taylor. This is a clear incident of police brutality and injustice propagated by racist laws that permitted the murder of Ms. Taylor, including the failure of the police officers to offer her any aid as she lay dying after their shots. The unjust structure of the laws of Louisville, Kentucky allowed Breonna Taylor’s police killers to go without any legal consequences. Many municipalities in the U.S. are governed by similar, unjust laws.
Our hearts go out to the family members of Ms. Taylor. While her family received a settlement from the City of Louisville, they have not received justice for her death.
The killing of Breonna Taylor and the lack of justice has negatively affected our own community as well as communities across the nation. Americans rose up in protest last night against the killing of Breonna Taylor. We call for justice in the deaths of George Floyd, Eric Garner, Atatiana Jefferson, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Tamir Rice, Dontre Hamilton, John Crawford, Walter Scott, Korryn Gaines, Laquan McDonald, Akai Gurley, William Chapman II, Sam Dubose, Jeremy McDole, Ricky Ball, Jamar Clark, Sylville Smith, Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, Keith Lamont Scott, Terence Crutcher, Stephon Clark, Jordan Edwards and too many other Black Americans to count over four centuries.
As social workers, it is our responsibility to name it, and act when we see violence and injustice, because none of us are truly safe until the most marginalized among us are safe. We can advocate for laws holding police accountable for using unnecessary and excessive force that disproportionately targets the Black community. We can join social and political movements that call for the human rights and dignity of all individuals. Here are some actions that you can take:
- Advocating that no-knock warrants be banned in every jurisdiction.
- Sign the change.org petition asking for the officers involved to be arrested and charged and for Congress to pass legislation that federally bans “no-knock” warrants.
- Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund to support protestors on the ground.
- Send a protest email or letter to the Kentucky Attorney General, Mayor and Governor.
- The Marshall Project reports that U.S. House Democrats approved a bill that would ban no-knock warrants in federal law enforcement and take away funding from local police departments that did not do the same. Senator Rand Paul has proposed a similar bill in the Senate. Contact your local representatives and ask them to support this legislation.
- Send a note to Taylor’s family and find a list of more actions to take.
- Learn about the history and power of police unions.
- Support Black Lives Matter.
- Vote on Tuesday, November 3. Please register and vote in this and in every election.
The steady stream of racial violence combined with the ongoing disruption of living through a pandemic can feel completely overwhelming. We encourage you to connect with your support networks. CAPS and Alejandro Rojas have resources and support services to help you navigate through these difficult times.
We, the undersigned, commit to standing alongside, protecting and supporting Black lives. We condemn racism and police brutality. We vow to work both within and outside of our campus to uphold and model these values, which are the foundation of a truly equitable society — one that secures the health, safety and well-being of all citizens. #BlackLivesMatter
Lynn Videka, Dean
Daicia Price, Undoing Racism Workgroup
Ayesha Ghazi Edwin, ENGAGE Program Coordinator & Lecturer
Dr. Trina Shanks, Director of Community Engagement
Lauren Davis, DEI Office & Lecturer
Barb Hiltz, MSW Program Director