LOUISVILLE, Kentucky –Brianna Taylor died on March 13.
A Louisville grand jury announced its verdict on Sept. 24.
That’s 194 days later.
Is it too late? Is it inevitable that many will say they don’t accept the verdict? Based on the continuing protests in Louisville, the answer may be, yes, it’s too late.
Here’s what 194 days looks like.
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Imagine that each of those days ended with a sizable number of Louisville’s 1.2 million citizens waiting for an answer to the question most of Louisville was asking: Why was Brionna Taylor, a Black woman, shot to death in her apartment by one or more of three White Louisville police officers?
Those with power in Louisville and Kentucky took 194 days to determine that none of those officers were legally responsible for Brionna Taylor’s death. (One of the three was indicted for first degree wanton endangerment for shooting into a neighboring apartment.)
No one should ask why so many are so angry. There is no formula for the proper amount of time for a grand jury to issue a decision, but 194 days? On top of that, there was the overwhelming display of force in response to the protests that followed the announcement of the grand jury’s decision, both the day of the decision and the next day.
Here are two Facebook postings from Day 195:
First, Jill Adams:
“The Movement has stood, marched, chanted, driven, pedaled, loved, fed and clothed and sheltered, made music, created community, honored, organized, and educated peacefully and strategically for 119 days. Still standing and not going anywhere.
“The boarded-up, concrete-and-fenced-in, flashbang-and-tear gas fearmongering tactics of Mayor [Greg] Fischer and LMPD, and the “law and order” language from [Kentucky Attorney General] Daniel Cameron are a disgrace and a farce. We reject your false narrative. We continue to hold you accountable for failing at every level of human decency. #SayHerName.”
And Amy Shir:
“My friend . . . and I were walking around Old Louisville (near downtown) after work. I looked up and had a fully armed militia man holding an assault weapon looking down at me. Behind him was an armored tank/Humvee with several more militia men inside. No one else was around. I almost vomited it was so unnerving. I then saw several of these militia groups in the parking lot as we walked south on 7th street. The guy told me they were there “to support the police.” As I type this helicopters circle overhead. I pray for my city and country. I pray that justice is served.”
My wife, children and I observed the curfew tonight by watching “RBG,” the wonderful documentary of the life of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In her memory, and in my love for my city, I, too, pray that justice is served. I fear it may be too late.
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Michael Ginsberg is a freelance writer based in Louisville.
Michael, You are doing nothing to help your country by writing your article with the title of, Justice delayed, Justice denied. 6 months to get it right is not long when you consider the justice system in New Zealand took nearly a year to put their case together for the terrorist who shot up the Christchurch Mosque’s In March 2019. He pleaded Guilty so we have no need for a trial. The Grand Jury states that the police shot into the house in self defense after Brianna’s boyfriend shot at the police. The boyfriend has admitted he fired first. So where is your case, Michael? Since the announcement of the Grand Jury decision 2 policemen in Lousiville. One black, and one white policeman…….. That says it all. Those supporting the demonstrators, know they are not demonstrators but rioters and looters who are supported by anti Semitic anarchist outfit ANTIFA with well organized groups infiltrating ordinary people out peacefully demonstrating, legitimately. A few minutes after the Grand Jury announcement a U Haul Truck was unloading weapons such a frozen plastic bottles of water, wooden weapons and banners for The Antifa anarchists and fellow truckers to be used to confront the authorities. The U Haul truck was hired by the leftist group The Bail Project. We have seen violence in many cities all over the USA for a long time now. We have seen Idiots in charge of cities and states doing things like handing over police precincts to the Antifa thugs. How stupid can authorities get? The Summer of love city Mayor of Seattle is one example. She has the blood of two Black youths on her hands both shot inside the CHOP zone. Then there is Portland where there the mayor had to move house because the demonstrators came after him. In very recent weeks a policeman and women were shot in LA. Now for the killings of black on black who are being killed week on week, month on month for decades in Chicago, like Seattle and Portland another Democrat party run city. When it is going to stop? Thank God I am a Kiwi and we have a different political and legal system here in New Zealand.