Image Source: Getty / ROBYN BECK
Beyoncé is demanding justice for Breonna Taylor in a way that’s easy to replicate. On June 14, the singer shared an open letter to Kentucky’s attorney general, Daniel Cameron, on her website. In the message, she asked for “swift and decisive action” to be taken on Breonna’s behalf — specifically, that charges be brought against the Louisville officers involved in Breonna’s death.
“Three months have passed — and the LMPD’s investigations have created more questions than answers,” Beyoncé wrote. “Their incident report states that Ms. Taylor suffered no injuries — yet we know she was shot at least eight times. The LMPD officers claim they announced themselves before forcing their way into Ms. Taylor’s apartment — but her boyfriend who was with her, as well as several neighbors, all say that this is untrue.”
“Don’t let this case fall into the pattern of no action after a terrible tragedy.”
She continued: “Three months have passed — and zero arrests have been made, and no officers have been fired. The LMPD’s investigation was turned over to your office, and yet all of the officers involved in the shooting remain employed by the LMPD. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Officers Myles Cosgrove and Brett Hankison must be held accountable for their actions.
“Three months have passed — and Breonna Taylor’s family still waits for justice. Ms. Taylor’s family has not been able to take time to process and grieve. Instead, they have been working tirelessly to rally the support of friends, their community, and the country to obtain justice for Breonna.”
Beyoncé urged the attorney general to take three clear steps to honor Breonna: bring criminal charges against the three officers, commit to transparency in the investigation of their conduct, and investigate the LMPD’s response to Breonna’s murder. “Don’t let this case fall into the pattern of no action after a terrible tragedy. With every death of a Black person at the hands of the police, there are two real tragedies: the death itself, and the inaction and delays that follow it,” she wrote. “This is your chance to end that pattern. Take swift and decisive action in charging the officers. The next months cannot look like the last three.”
Check out her full letter ahead, and consider raising your voice for Breonna by writing your own message to the address Beyoncé provides. You can also sign a petition calling for the officers to be charged and visit the #BirthdayForBreonna campaign site for more action items.
