lexington activist on Breonna Taylor

Video Credit: WTVQ Lexington, KY
Published on September 16, 2020 -
lexington activist on Breonna Taylor

lexington activist on Breonna Taylor

An indictment from a grand jury."

Breonna taylor's attorneys emphasized today her death has prompted police reform in cities far outside louisville.

Even close by...lexington police have made changes...including adding an extra level of supervision to its warrant policy.

Protesters in lexington have been asking for more reform for months...while also demanding justice for taylor.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswine spoke to one organizer who says the settlement reached today marks a bitter sweet moment.

### "no amount of money can replace breonna taylor."

Lexington police accountability activist...and protest organizer...sarah williams...says louisville's settlement tuesday with breonna taylor's family... is a step in the right direction...but more action is needed.

Sarah williams: "it's like joy, but it's also still sadness knowing we still don't have justice within the criminal justice system."

Williams says she...like many others...is waiting on the ruling on whether the officers involved in taylor's death will be criminally charged.

But williams says...some of the police reform the settlement creates...is promising...for example..one that incentivizes officers to live in the city.

"when you come into a city that's a different demographic from what you're use to encountering, then from jump the way in which you respond could be problematic."

She also likes that a new program will be created to use social workers on some police runs.

"we need somebody who can respond to a mental health crisis.

We need somebody who can respond with love and kindness and no judgement."

Williams says she's also glad to hear louisville will continue investigating an officer...even if they leave before the investigation is finished.

She says it reminds her of former lexington police chaplain donavan stuart...who announced his retirement in july.

He retired with a full pension before the resolution of a federal lawsuit...accusing him of excessive use of force on an autistic teen at fayette mall in 2019.

Lexington police cited that ongoing lawsuit as a reason why it couldn't begin an internal investigation.

"so that leaves that situation open-ended because there as still many,many, many community members who feel like donavan stuart should be held accountable for his actions" williams says she hopes some of these measures will be passed in lexington soon.

But for now... "i think that sets a precedent going forward" in lexington...bobbi mcswine "we demands some changes to the system that's inflicting harm on our community."

Abc 36

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