This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/sep/23/joe-biden-campaign-north-carolina-donald-trump-covid-coronavirus-supreme-court-us-politics-live

The article has changed 50 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 36 Version 37
Breonna Taylor decision: two officers shot in Louisville as protests erupt across US – live Breonna Taylor decision: two officers shot in Louisville as protests erupt across US – live
(32 minutes later)
Crowds gather from coast to coast after just one officer involved in Taylor’s killing is charged with wanton endangermentCrowds gather from coast to coast after just one officer involved in Taylor’s killing is charged with wanton endangerment
More from Atlanta, via the AP:
Police say they have deployed chemical agents on Atlanta protesters. Georgia State Patrol Spokesperson Franka Young has told The Associated Press the chemical agents were fired after “some unruly protesters” attempted to climb on top of a SWAT vehicle that was stationed in the city.
“They were given orders to get off of the vehicle and when they ignored the orders, the SWAT team was forced to utilize less lethal gas to deter them,” Young said. Some protesters were also arrested after refusing orders to disperse from roads and to walk on sidewalks, Young said. It is not clear how many people were arrested. Young said many protesters had followed police orders.
For those of you just tuning in, here are the key developments from the last few hours:
Martin Luther King III, human rights activist and Martin Luther King Jr and Loretta Scott King’s oldest son:
Hi, Helen Sullivan here. I’m bringing you the latest from the protests and reaction to the Breonna Taylor decision. Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
If you’re just joining us: Protests have erupted across the US after a grand jury decided not to directly charge police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by Louisville police as officers carried out a no-knock warrant in March. Thousands of people in nearly every major US city saw protesters chanting “Say her name! Breonna Taylor” and “No justice, no peace”.
Here is a bird’s-eye view of the protests in New York from earlier this evening:
Opal Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives Matter: ‘I do this because we deserve to live’Opal Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives Matter: ‘I do this because we deserve to live’
BLM was formed in 2013 when Oakland-based organiser Alicia Garza felt moved to respond to the acquittal of George Zimmerman. Zimmerman had the year before shot dead an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, in Florida, and Garza posted an impassioned message on Facebook. Patrisse Cullors shared the post with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, and an inspired Opal Tometi built the BlackLivesMatter.com website, choosing yellow and black as its signature colours. And with that a movement was born.BLM was formed in 2013 when Oakland-based organiser Alicia Garza felt moved to respond to the acquittal of George Zimmerman. Zimmerman had the year before shot dead an unarmed black teenager, Trayvon Martin, in Florida, and Garza posted an impassioned message on Facebook. Patrisse Cullors shared the post with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, and an inspired Opal Tometi built the BlackLivesMatter.com website, choosing yellow and black as its signature colours. And with that a movement was born.
It’s a movement that some analysts say is the biggest in US history. Between 15 and 26 million people participated in demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in May this year – and between then and August there were 7,750 demonstrations in all 50 states and Washington DC. Internationally, there have been protests in 60 countries and on every continent except Antarctica, with politicians from Boris Johnson to Justin Trudeau insisting that they, too, think “Black Lives Matter”:It’s a movement that some analysts say is the biggest in US history. Between 15 and 26 million people participated in demonstrations following the death of George Floyd in May this year – and between then and August there were 7,750 demonstrations in all 50 states and Washington DC. Internationally, there have been protests in 60 countries and on every continent except Antarctica, with politicians from Boris Johnson to Justin Trudeau insisting that they, too, think “Black Lives Matter”:
US president Donald Trump has responded to the shooting of two police officers saying he is praying for them and that the government is “ready to help”.US president Donald Trump has responded to the shooting of two police officers saying he is praying for them and that the government is “ready to help”.
Shortly afterwards, he again tweeted “LAW & ORDER”, which he has done several times in the last few months:Shortly afterwards, he again tweeted “LAW & ORDER”, which he has done several times in the last few months:
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden also tweeted his response to the shooting, saying, “Even amidst the profound grief & anger today’s decision generated, violence is never & can never be the answer. Those who engage in it must be held accountable.”Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden also tweeted his response to the shooting, saying, “Even amidst the profound grief & anger today’s decision generated, violence is never & can never be the answer. Those who engage in it must be held accountable.”
Protests have erupted across the US after a grand jury decided not to directly charge police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by Louisville police as officers carried out a no-knock warrant in March.Protests have erupted across the US after a grand jury decided not to directly charge police officers for the killing of Breonna Taylor, who was fatally shot by Louisville police as officers carried out a no-knock warrant in March.
Thousands of people in nearly every major US city saw protesters chanting “Say her name! Breonna Taylor” and “No justice, no peace”. Posters and shrines dedicated to Taylor were seen all around as protesters marched.Thousands of people in nearly every major US city saw protesters chanting “Say her name! Breonna Taylor” and “No justice, no peace”. Posters and shrines dedicated to Taylor were seen all around as protesters marched.
Two police officers in Louisville were shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Louisville police have one suspect in custody, but it is unclear whether the suspect and the shooting were related to protests in the city. One officer is undergoing surgery while the second is alert and stable. The police have not released any other information.Two police officers in Louisville were shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Louisville police have one suspect in custody, but it is unclear whether the suspect and the shooting were related to protests in the city. One officer is undergoing surgery while the second is alert and stable. The police have not released any other information.
A car drove through protests in Denver, there were no injuries. One person was detained.A car drove through protests in Denver, there were no injuries. One person was detained.
Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, learned of the charging decision minutes before attorney general’s announcement. The family’s attorney, Sam Aguiar, told CNN: “She had to drive all the way down there to be told this, despite two advanced requests from me to not force her to drive down only to learn no indictments.”Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, learned of the charging decision minutes before attorney general’s announcement. The family’s attorney, Sam Aguiar, told CNN: “She had to drive all the way down there to be told this, despite two advanced requests from me to not force her to drive down only to learn no indictments.”
Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankinson faces three felony counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. None of the other officers involved in the fatal shooting were indicted. No homicide charges were issued. Reacting to the announcement on MSNBC, the Revered Al Sharpton, a civil rights leader, condemned the charges as “grossly insufficient.”Former Louisville police officer Brett Hankinson faces three felony counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. None of the other officers involved in the fatal shooting were indicted. No homicide charges were issued. Reacting to the announcement on MSNBC, the Revered Al Sharpton, a civil rights leader, condemned the charges as “grossly insufficient.”
The Louisville mayor announced a curfew in anticipation of the Taylor announcement. Mayor Greg Fischer issued an on-camera statement saying he hoped Cameron’s announcement would be met with “a peaceful, lawful response like we have seen the majority of the past four months.” Fischer announced the city would observe a curfew for the next three nights, from 9pm to 6.30am.The Louisville mayor announced a curfew in anticipation of the Taylor announcement. Mayor Greg Fischer issued an on-camera statement saying he hoped Cameron’s announcement would be met with “a peaceful, lawful response like we have seen the majority of the past four months.” Fischer announced the city would observe a curfew for the next three nights, from 9pm to 6.30am.
Kentucky governor, Andy Beshear, called for protesters to “go home”. In a video statement, he said: “We know that the answer to violence is never violence. And we are thinking about those two officers and their families tonight. So I’m asking everybody, please, go home. Go home tonight.”Kentucky governor, Andy Beshear, called for protesters to “go home”. In a video statement, he said: “We know that the answer to violence is never violence. And we are thinking about those two officers and their families tonight. So I’m asking everybody, please, go home. Go home tonight.”
Senator Kamala Harris said Taylor and her family “deserve justice yesterday, today and tomorrow”. Asked about the indictment, the California senator said she had not yet had the chance to fully review the indictment.Senator Kamala Harris said Taylor and her family “deserve justice yesterday, today and tomorrow”. Asked about the indictment, the California senator said she had not yet had the chance to fully review the indictment.
Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, denied that the search warrant carried out at Breonna Taylor’s home was a “no-knock warrant”. Cameron claimed the police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor identified themselves before entering the apartment. Cameron said that information was corroborated by a witness. But according to a 911 call placed by Taylor’s boyfriend shortly after she was shot, he did not know the shooters were police officers. “I don’t know what’s happening,” Kenneth Walker said in the call. “Somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend.”Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, denied that the search warrant carried out at Breonna Taylor’s home was a “no-knock warrant”. Cameron claimed the police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Taylor identified themselves before entering the apartment. Cameron said that information was corroborated by a witness. But according to a 911 call placed by Taylor’s boyfriend shortly after she was shot, he did not know the shooters were police officers. “I don’t know what’s happening,” Kenneth Walker said in the call. “Somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend.”
Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s mother, learned of the decision not to directly charge the police officers for the killing of her daughter just minutes before it was announced publicly by Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the family’s attorney, Sam Aguiar, has told CNN:Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s mother, learned of the decision not to directly charge the police officers for the killing of her daughter just minutes before it was announced publicly by Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the family’s attorney, Sam Aguiar, has told CNN:
Are you protesting in your city? Let me know on Twitter @helenrsullivan.Are you protesting in your city? Let me know on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
WSB-TV in Atlanta reports that police have used tear gas to break up protestors.
“A number of arrests” have also been made, a police spokesperson told CNN.
A few moments ago, a driver drove into a group of protestors. There were no serious injuries, Denver police have confirmed, and a man has been detained.
Here is footage of the incident:
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family of Breonna Taylor, has told CNN the indictment is, “like killing Breonna all over again.”
He called her death, “Legalized genocide of people of color, because no matter how much evidence we have, they always find a way to try to legally justify it.”
Crump added that, “The DA can indict a ham sandwich if they want to ... We strongly feel they did not want an indictment against these police officers,” and said that the decision “underscores the fact that there are two justice systems in America – one for Black America and one for White America.”
“We stand here today to say that there is no justification for the murder of Breonna Taylor. And we will go to our graves proclaiming that Breonna Taylor did not get justice from the Kentucky attorney general’s office.”
Earlier, Crump described the grand jury announcement as “outrageous and offensive.”
Crump noted that none of the charges announced today appear to relate directly to the fatal shooting of Taylor.
“If Brett Hankison’s behavior was wanton endangerment to people in neighboring apartments, then it should have been wanton endangerment in Breonna Taylor’s apartment too. In fact, it should have been ruled wanton murder,” Crump said in a tweet.
At least 46 people have been arrested in Louisville tonight, Louisville Police Sgt. Lamont Washington confirmed to CNN.
A curfew has been in place since 9.30 pm.
From the demonstration in Oakland, California:
The protests are still going strong in New York, where a large group of protestors have started crossing the Williamsburg Bridge:
For nearly 120 days, protesters in Louisville, Kentucky, have shouted “no justice, no peace!” as they called for charges against three police officers involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot in her apartment in March as police executed a search warrant.
In the minutes following the announcement that only one officer would be indicted – for wanton endangerment for firing into an apartment next door to Taylor’s – a quiet, stunned sadness and simmering anger overtook Louisville’s Jefferson Square Park, the epicenter of protests which has been dubbed Injustice Square Park.
Monique Lathon, a 33-year-old Black woman, said she was feeling “mostly sadness more than anger” as tears streamed down her face after the announcement. “Just sorry to Bre that we weren’t able to get her justice.”
Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
Colin Kaepernick, the quarterback and civil rights activist who in 2016 knelt during the national anthem at the start an NFL game to protest police brutality, has tweeted about the Breonna Taylor decision:
A short while ago, the Kentucky governor, Andy Beshear, released a video statement in which he asks that protesters leave the streets and go home in light of the shooting of two officers.
Here is the full transcript of what he said:
Earlier today, Beshear called on the state attorney general, Daniel Cameron, to release online all the information he can about the Breonna Taylor case.
“I believe that the public deserves this information,” said the Democrat governor. “I trust Kentuckians. They deserve to see the facts for themselves.”
Beshear argued releasing the information, without jeopardizing the three-count indictment against former officer Brett Hankison, would help the state to heal.