Angry demonstrators took to the streets of several major American cities on Wednesday to denounce a judicial treatment they believed was far too lenient against the police who killed African-American Breonna Taylor in Louisville in March.
Two police officers deployed around 8:30 p.m. local time at the scene of one of the demonstrations in this Kentucky city "were shot and wounded.
They are being treated at the hospital, ”Louisville Acting Police Chief Robert Schrœder told a press conference.
Their condition was stable and their life was not a priori threatened, but one of them underwent surgery, he said, and a suspect was arrested.
The FBI office in Louisville said it is investigating.
Some heavily armed protesters
Earlier, a few hundred people, some heavily armed, had gathered in Jefferson Square, a downtown square, in a tense climate, before being dispersed by police shortly before curfew time. introduced at 9 p.m. local (3 a.m. this Thursday in France).
Boston, New York, Washington, Philadelphia… Gatherings spontaneously broke out in several cities across the country, shaken for months by a wave of anti-racist mobilizations.
The reason for the anger of the demonstrators: None of the three agents who broke into Breonna Taylor, 26, breaking down the door of his home, was prosecuted for his homicide.
The nurse was killed in the middle of the night at her home on March 13 when the three police officers showed up with an arrest warrant.
When they arrived, his companion had opened fire with a legally owned weapon.
The officers retaliated and Breonna Taylor was shot several times.
His companion then explained that he believed in a burglary, the agents not having announced themselves.
They claim to have come forward, a version corroborated by a witness, according to state prosecutor Daniel Cameron.
After a brief flare-up with police in Adams Morgan, the DC Breonna Taylor march is heading peacefully - but full of energy - back toward the White House.
That is an Antifa flag up front.
pic.twitter.com/GNpnfNd1og
- Alexander Marquardt (@MarquardtA) September 24, 2020
Thousands are marching in New York City over the Breonna Taylor ruling.
pic.twitter.com/LxYLqypl2x
- Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) September 24, 2020
Brett Hankison, the only member of the police trio ultimately targeted by a charge, is only being prosecuted for endangering the lives of others, because of his shots which crossed the apartment of the victim's neighbors, the prosecutor announced on Wednesday. of Kentucky.
No charges against the two policemen who killed her
No charge has been brought against his two colleagues, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, who are however the authors of the shootings which killed the African-American.
A decision "scandalous and insulting", according to the lawyer of the family of the young woman, Ben Crump.
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"I know that these charges announced today will not satisfy everyone," he admitted, admitting to having had "a difficult discussion" with the family of Breonna Taylor.
According to local media, Officer Brett Hankison showed up at an area jail and was released after paying bail of $ 15,000, a very low sum compared to other similar cases.
Fired by the Louisville police in June, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
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"Breonna Taylor deserves justice," said Decorryn Adams, a young African American among protesters in Louisville, calling for her "life not to be in danger just because of the color of [her] skin. ".
Before Wednesday's announcement, the municipality declared a state of emergency.
A large police force was in place and several people were arrested in the afternoon.
Donald Trump said he was "praying for the two injured police officers" and spoke with Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, with whom he said he was ready to work.
The latter called, in a video message, the inhabitants to "go home".
"My sister, the system you worked so hard for has let you down," Breonna Taylor's sister Juniyah Palmer said on Instagram.
According to lawyer Ben Crump, this is "a new example of lack of responsibility for the genocide of people of color perpetrated by police".
Basketball player LeBron James "devastated and angry"
"It is ironic and typical that the only charges in this case relate to shots fired in the apartment of a white neighbor", while a person of color was killed, he said. added.
Jefferson County Grand Jury indicts form ofc.
Brett Hankison with 3 counts of Wanton Endangerment in 1st Degree for bullets that went into other apartments but NOTHING for the murder of Breonna Taylor.
This is outrageous and offensive!
pic.twitter.com/EarmBAhhuf
- Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) September 23, 2020
From LeBron James to Megan Rapinoe, various American sports figures who actively support Black Lives Matter and call for police reform have reacted with dismay to the indirect indictment against a police officer implicated in the death of African American, Breonna. Taylor.
"Words fail me!"
I am devastated, shocked, sad, angry!
We want justice for Breonna but justice was served for the walls of her neighbors' apartment and not for her good life.
I'm absolutely not surprised at the pronunciation, but damn it hurts, the heart is heavy!
I send my love for Breonna's mother, her family, her friends!
I am sorry !
I am sorry !
I am sorry !!
LeBron James tweeted.
Many Democratic officials have also denounced Wednesday's decision, with Senator Bernie Sanders calling it "shame".
Donald Trump's presidential opponent, Joe Biden, said he “understands the frustration” but at the same time called for calm: “Violence is never acceptable,” he said in a statement. .