Louisville Mayor Fischer Addresses Protest And Concerns About Police-Community Relations

Press release from the City of Louisville:

May 29, 2020

Mayor Greg Fischer today updated the public about protests that took place in downtown Louisville on Thursday evening into early Friday morning. Several hundred protestors took to the streets to express the frustration and pain being felt by the community about the tragic death of Breonna Taylor.

The Mayor said that for several hours, the protests were peaceful. “And I thank the majority of people who demonstrated they understand that peaceful protest is the right path to creating the change we all seek.”

But after several hours, some members of the crowd turned violent. Seven people were shot, and there were also reports of broken windows, graffiti and small fires in trash cans throughout the core of the city’s downtown.

“My prayers are with all of those hurt,” said the Mayor. “These shots came from within the crowd, not from police officers. No officers fired their weapons. Rather, at great risk to themselves, they immediately went to provide aid to those who were injured. I thank them for that.”

The Mayor was joined during the media briefing by LMPD Colonel LaVita Chavous, who said LMPD’s “goal was to allow for a peaceful display of anger and frustration.” Col. Chavous noted that police fired tear gas after the shootings so officers could reach the victims to perform aid.

The Mayor directed his comments to the people who gathered downtown last night to protest, and to many more throughout the city and nation who feel angry, hurt, afraid, frustrated, tired and sick of seeing story after story of black lives ending at the hands of law enforcement saying, “I hear you. We must find a way to stop this cycle. But the violence and destruction we saw last night will not get us there. It will create more tragedies rather than prevent them.”

The Mayor called for the city to “work together as a community to prevent further tragedies.”

In recent weeks, the Mayor has announced several steps that Metro Government is taking in the wake of the Breonna Taylor case, including working with the FBI, the U.S. Attorney and the Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron to investigate the incident on March 13, why it happened, and what must happen now so justice can be served and the city can learn how to avoid the circumstances that led to Breonna’s death.

The Mayor added that the city has already made other numerous changes at LMPD to provide more scrutiny, transparency and accountability:

• A new police chief will be named.
• A new level of oversight has been added to LMPD.
• Body camera policy has been changed to require use for all officers executing search warrants.

In addition, he announced today that LMPD is suspending no-knock warrants until further notice. And he shared that during today’s first meeting of a work group he and Metro Council set up to establish a new civilian review board for police disciplinary matters, he would recommend the board have subpoena powers.

“These changes – and more to come – should signal that I hear you and will continue to make improvement anywhere I can,” said the Mayor.

The Mayor closed by thanking the family of Breonna Taylor “for helping us work to restore peace.” He also read a statement that her family sent to be shared at today’s briefing, which read:

“Breonna devoted her own life to saving other lives, to helping others, to making people smile and to bringing people together. The last thing she’d want to see right now is anymore violence. Changes are being made, but it’s not enough. We will not stop until there is truth, justice and accountability. Breonna’s legacy will not be forgotten and it’s because of all of us saying her name and demanding justice. We are saying her name more each day. Thank you! Please keep saying her name. Please keep demanding justice and accountability. But let’s do it the right way, without hurting each other. We can, and we will, make some real change here. Now is the time. Let’s make it happen...but safely. #breewayy”

And last night, the Taylor family posted a video and statement on Facebook saying, “please stop (protesting) before people get hurt.”

The Mayor said today, “The fight for justice cannot be won with guns and vandalism. It can only be won with persistence and commitment to the shared goal of creating a city of peace, safety, equity and justice for everyone.”

He noted that other cities across America experienced protests last night, too, making it clear once again that the community and country, have much work to do to advance a shared goal of a society where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential – and to live safely.

“In Louisville, we have been committed to this work for years,” said the Mayor. “And while the events of recent weeks have shown us that we’ve got much to do, we are committed to this work, whatever it takes, for as long as it takes.”

“Let’s use this sad occasion as a wake-up call for our entire community to come together like we never have before,” he said. “Let’s rise to the challenge of this moment and work for the truth, work for peace, work for justice. For Breonna Taylor, her family and for all of the people of our city.”

This press release was produced by the City of Louisville. The views expressed here are the author’s own.