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Marquette students host walkout after Breonna Taylor decision

Posted at 2:28 PM, Sep 24, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-24 19:13:24-04

Marquette students gathered in solidarity Thursday after a grand jury decided that no Kentucky police officers would be charged for killing Breonna Taylor.

The students walked out of class and briefly shut down Wisconsin Ave. near 16th St. during the protest.

One former police officer has been charged in the Breonna Taylor case, but that doesn't mean it's the end of investigations.

People across the country have been following the case of Taylor's death, and many wanted to see the officers involved face criminal charges.

At Marquette, chants to "never forget" Taylor were heard as protesters started at the university and went to several other colleges in the Milwaukee area.

“I’m outrage at the verdict that was made yesterday and so are my fellow classmates," said Aliyah Wilson, a Marquette student. “We just want people to know we are not okay. We are not okay.”

A decision made nearly 400 miles away, with a lasting impact on a nation. Students said Wednesday's news was unsettling.

“The result of yesterday’s court decision really just broke my heart," said another student.

Demonstrations were held Wednesday night in Louisville and other cities after it was announced former Louisville Metro Police Department Detective Brett Hankison's charges of wanton endangerment are not directly related to Taylor's death. Additionally, two officers who fired shots the night Taylor was killed will not face criminal charges. They do still face another investigation, though.

The Courier-Journal reports that the Louisville police department is conducting a Professional Standards Unit investigation to determine whether they and four other officers violated police policy or rules during the raid. The results of this internal review could lead to disciplinary action.

Also, the FBI is conducting an investigation that could result in civil rights violations.

Governor Andy Beshear is calling for the details of the state's investigation to be posted online by Attorney General Daniel Cameron.

"I trust Kentuckians. They deserve to see the facts for themselves, and I believe that the ability to process those facts helps everybody," said Beshear.

Attorney General Cameron says he'll form a task force to look at Kentucky's search warrants' policies.

In Lexington, protesters have called to ban no-knock warrants, just like in Louisville.

In Milwaukee, protesters said the marches and protesting will continue as long as pain is felt by poeple who want the justice system to work equally for everyone."

“I think until justice is really served from Brionna Taylor, and for all our black women, I cn never be calm," student Josiah Anderson said.

Taylor's case is one of many that became a focus in the conversation about police reform.

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