KY. LOCKDOWN
Louisville girds for decision on Breonna cops
Kentucky’s largest city, already under a state of emergency, further restricted access to its downtown area Tuesday ahead of the state attorney general’s announcement about whether he will charge officers in Breonna Taylor’s shooting death.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron has not said when he will announce the results of his investigation, which could lead to criminal charges against three cops involved in Taylor’s killing, but Louisville officials expect a decision — and potential demonstrations — as early as this week.
The Louisville Metro Police Department said Tuesday it would place barricades around Jefferson Square Park, restrict vehicle access in the blocks surrounding it and limit parking in the area.
“While we do not know when the Attorney General will make his announcement, LMPD is taking the following actions now to ensure the area is as safe as possible for those coming downtown to express their First Amendment Rights, as well as those who live and work in the area,” the agency said in a statement posted on Twitter.
Jefferson Square Park has been the site of numerous protests since the case rose to the national headlines in late May, following the shocking police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Some of the demonstrations turned violent, but most have been peaceful in recent weeks.
Taylor, 26, was killed in her own apartment during a botched police raid on March 13. The unarmed Black woman and her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, had just gone to bed when plainclothes officers burst into her home to serve a “no-knock” search warrant connected to a narcotics investigation.
More than six months later, none of those cops have been charged and only one of them has been fired.
Cameron was expected to present the results of his investigation to a grand jury before publicly announcing whether charges would be filed.
Louisville police declared a state of emergency Monday to ensure the city has necessary “staffing to provide for public safety services” in case the announcement does come this week. The city’s mayor, Greg Fischer, issued a second state of emergency Tuesday “due to the potential for civil unrest.” The order would allow him to exercise any of his emergency powers, such as implementing curfews and other restrictions.
“Again, we do not know when the announcement will come, but we must prepare for it,” he said in a statement. “Our goal is ensuring space and opportunity for potential protesters to gather and express their First Amendment rights after the announcement. At the same time, we are preparing for any eventuality to keep everyone safe.”
At least two federal buildings in the city have been closed until at least Friday for the same reason.
Louisville Downtown Partnership, a nonprofit serving the city’s downtown area, urged businesses to prepare for large crowds.
“No matter what the decision is, large crowds are expected and we anticipate positive and strong police response,” Executive Director Rebecca Matheny said in an email obtained by the Louisville Courier Journal.
“Make plans to accommodate working remotely … ,” she wrote. “This is not only for the safety of your team but also to make LMPD’s job to manage any potential unrest much more manageable.”
Just days ago, Taylor’s family settled a wrongfuldeath lawsuit with Louisville officials for a record $12 million, the largest amount the city has ever paid in an officer-involved shooting case.