Breonna Taylor Protesters Shut Down Part Of I-95 In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — A group of protesters took to the Philadelphia streets Thursday night, even getting on to Interstate 95 and effectively closing it down for a period of time.

About 100 people made their way onto Interstate 95 South at about Thursday night to protest the grand jury decision to charge one of three officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor.

PennDOT said the highway closed at about 7:48 p.m. due to police activity between the Columbus Boulevard/Washington Avenue exit and the Interstate 76 East/Walt Whitman Bridge exit.

Demonstrators were peaceful Thursday as they marched through the city and eventually onto the highway.

Police were able to move the group from the highway and get traffic flowing again by about 8:30 p.m., according to PennDOT.

The protest began at Independence Hall then ended at City Hall, Action News reports.

At least one demonstration for Taylor, who was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police during a March 13 search warrant executions at her residence, is planned for Friday.

Demonstrators will hold a march and vigil at 5:30 p.m. at 33rd and Market Streets in West Philadelphia. The event is being organized by the Drexel's Black Action Committee, Penn Community For Justice, and Drexel Community for Justice.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation is planning another protest at 7 p.m. Tuesday in West Philly's Malcolm X Park.

On Wednesday, the city said it was preparing for demonstrations following the grand jury decision to charge just one of the officers involved in her death with three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for firing into an adjacent apartment.

Mayor Jim Kenney said he understands the frustration and outrage some Philadelphians are feeling about the decision. While he said the city supports First Amendment rights, protesting must be done safely and lawfully.

Patch has reached out to Philadelphia Police for more information on the protest and will update the story when details are made available.

Philadelphia: This is 95 S bound they close down the highway #BLM. pic.twitter.com/h1Lr0cttM6
— Patricia Marshall Harris (@Classienu) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/Classienu/... 25, 2020

2nd Alarmers are in Center City providing refreshments to the Philadelphia Police detail during protest activity.@PhillyPolice @FOPLodge5 pic.twitter.com/HG669GLvbq
— 2ND ALARMERS (@PHILASACHIEF) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/PHILASACHI... 25, 2020