Image source: Getty / Lester Cohen
On Friday, Breonna Taylor had her 27th birthday, but on March 13, she was fatally shot by Louisville police officers who came to her home during an unannounced drug stab. Despite the fact that her prime suspect was already in custody, Breonna was shot eight times and the three officers involved have yet to be arrested or charged. To celebrate Breonna's life, John Legend wrote a comment for Weekly entertainmentto shed light on the paramedic and demand justice.
"Breonna should be celebrating her 27th birthday today. Like so many black women, she was an important worker, a paramedic, the kind of first responder we need to save lives during this ongoing pandemic," said John, adding that Breonna had dreams of becoming a nurse, wife and mother. "But after midnight on March 13, officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department stormed into their home and fired more than 20 bullets, eight of which ultimately cost Breonna's life. They had the wrong home and an illegal warrant without knocking."
"Today I use my platform to demand justice for this essential person, this woman, daughter, sister and friend."
The 41-year-old EGOT winner called for change and for people to come together to fight the brutality of the police. "Now is the time for us to band together and emphatically SAY YOUR NAME. Black women launched this call to action because we continue to erroneously talk about the centuries-old crisis of police and vigilante violence as if it were a gender issue just happens. " to black men, "he continued." Today I use my platform to demand justice for this essential person, this woman, daughter, sister and friend. While their loved ones must actually be in our prayers on this tough day, we must also commit to never ceasing to fight for justice on their behalf. "
Image source: Getty / JASON CONNOLLY
"Until elected officials have ramifications for outrageous and fatal police misconduct, they will continue to kill us with impunity."
John also discussed the widespread protests across the country and the "war against the black communities", which turns police departments into small armies that patrol "battlefields" rather than neighborhoods that are more "fighters" than hard working people are populated with families and dreams. "" Now the country seems to be on fire and everyone is asking why, "he wrote." As we continue to work towards systemic change, I join Breonna's community to demand justice immediately: The Governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, Attorney General Daniel Cameron and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer should finally arrest the three officials who killed Breonna and accuse them of the second-degree murder. Until elected officials have ramifications for outrageous and fatal police misconduct, they will continue to kill us with impunity. "
Read on for John's in-depth article Weekly entertainmentand visit bit.ly/BirthdayForBreonna to learn more.
