Beyoncé in recent weeks has joined the voices of millions across the country demanding justice for black men and women who were the victims of police brutality. Now she is amplifying the name of a black woman killed by police in Louisville, Kentucky.
Taking to her Instagram account, the iconic star wished Breonna Taylor a happy birthday, along with a demand for justice.
“Justice for Breonna,” Beyoncé wrote. “Click the link in my bio to take action.”
Taylor was killed by police in Lousiville, Kentucky, on March 13. The officers responsible for her death were issuing a “no-knock” warrant by using a battering ram to enter an apartment Taylor shared with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, mistook the officers for intruders and opened fire. Taylor was shot eight times as she stood in the hallway and died. Since Taylor’s death, “no-knock” warrants have been suspended, per Lousiville Mayor Greg Fischer.
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Across the country on Friday (June 5), supporters of Taylor helped raise awareness with #BirthdayForBreonna on social media, circulating a petition that those responsible for her death be held accountable. In Lousiville, protests and demonstrations took place throughout the day.
The three officers involved in her killing, Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove, have been placed on administrative leave and have yet to be arrested or charged in connection with her killing. Her death, along with that of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia, became the catalyst for global protests against police brutality.
Hip Hop has not been silent during this crucial time in history. JAY-Z called MN Governor Walz to help get George Floyd’s case into the hands of Attorney General Keith Ellison, Russ raised over $150k for Black Lives Matter, The Weeknd donated $500k to various BLM causes, Drake donated $100k to a bail relief fund, and Killer Mike provided a powerful speech addressing Atlanta amid city wide protests.
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Kanye West donated $2 million to the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. J. Cole and Kendrick were both spotted at local protests and Meek Mill dropped a song addressing police brutality.
These efforts are only a few highlights among the many people who are doing what they can to help spread messaging and advance the Black Lives Matter movement.
