Stills arrested at Breonna Taylor protest in Louisville
WR calls felony charges for him and 86 others ‘good trouble with my brothers and sisters’
Texans wide receiver Kenny Stills was arrested and charged with a felony in Louisville, Ky., along with 86 others who were protesting the lack of action against three police officers who fatally shot Breonna Taylor.
Stills was arrested Tuesday outside the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron. He was processed and released from jail on his own recognizance Wednesday morning and assigned an Oct. 8 court date, Louisville law enforcement authorities said.
Stills has been charged with one felony, intimidating a participant in the legal process, and misdemeanor third-degree disorderly conduct and second-degree criminal trespass.
After being released from jail, Stills posted a photo on Instagram of himself wearing a shirt that said: “Breonna Taylor’s Killers Are Still Police” and wore a Breonna Taylor face mask.
“‘Good trouble’ with my brothers and sisters — organized by @untilfreedom,” Stills wrote on Twitter. “Arrested for peacefully protesting. While Breonna Taylor’s murderers are still out on the street.”
Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, was fatally shot when police officers burst into her Louisville apartment using a no-knock warrant in the early morning hours of March 13 during a narcotics investigation. The warrant to search her home was in connection with a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside.
The shooting set off weeks of protests, policy changes and a call for the officers who shot Taylor to be criminally charged. One officer has been fired, but no charges have been filed. Investigations into the shooting are continuing.
“We are aware of the situation and gathering more information,” the Texans said in a statement.
Several Texans players supported Stills on social media.
“SMH they arresting the wrong ppl!” offensive tackle Tytus Howard wrote. “How you’re going to arrest him for protesting but the cops who killed Breonna Taylor haven’t been arrested? #FreeKennyStills”
Texans safety Michael Thomas, who took a knee alongside Stills while playing for the Dolphins to protest police brutality and systemic racism, praised his teammate on social media, calling him a “true hero.”
Texans defensive end Ira Savage-Lewis weighed in on the situation on Twitter, too.
“This hits too close to home for me, there has to be an end,” Savage-Lewis wrote. “Kenny is a great dude trying to do the right thing, and demand justice for his people. Arresting a man good man, for doing the right thing. While the killers run lose in America. I will never understand this smh”
Texans outside linebacker Jacob Martin criticized the system and the lack of any charges filed against the officers who killed Taylor:
“Our Justice system is a freaking joke,” Martin wrote. “Please explain to me how you can arrest and charge 87 people with felonies but not Arrest the cops that killed Breonna Taylor... #Blasphemous #ThisIsAmerica”
Louisville police said Stills and the other protesters were given the chance to leave by officers before they were arrested for “their refusal to leave the property and their attempts to influence the decision of the Attorney General with their actions.”
Stills, 28, is one of the most active NFL players on social justice issues, kneeling during the national anthem to raise awareness about police brutality and systemic racism and to show solidarity with exiled quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
Stills recently added new tattoos, including a protester holding up a Black Lives Matter sign along with protesters holding signs that say “Stop Killin’ Us,” “Say Their Names,” “We Protest School Segregation” and “We Demand Equal Rights Now!”
Stills was traded to the Texans last season from Miami weeks after he was critical of Dolphins owner Stephen Ross for holding a fundraiser for President Donald Trump. The former Oklahoma standout caught 40 passes for 561 yards and four touchdowns last season after being traded to the Texans.
Stills met with Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo last year weeks after the trade to discuss community relations with the police, conducting a wide-ranging conversation that left Houston’s top law enforcement official impressed with the NFL player’s character, intelligence and willingness to listen and share ideas.