Lawmakers call for action on first anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death

Democratic lawmakers called for action on police and criminal justice reform on the first anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death.

Lawmakers highlighted the March 13, 2020, police killing of Taylor in Louisville, Ky., while she lay in bed with her boyfriend to advocate for a slate of changes and to reamplify calls for racial justice that were first sparked by Taylor’s death and other police killings last summer.

“It is profoundly gut-wrenching how much injustice can be packed into just 365 days,” said Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), who was an activist before being elected to Congress. “Breonna Taylor’s murder was an injustice. The ensuing cover-up was an injustice.”

“I will continue meeting with and working with surviving family members who have lost loved ones to police violence and who continue to fight for justice,” she added. “I will center their demands in everything I do in Congress and through my role as Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime.” 

“Today marks one year since Breonna Taylor was killed in her home by police executing a no-knock warrant. Breonna Taylor and her family deserve justice. It is past time for comprehensive policing reform. We are working to pass the Justice In Policing Act in the Senate,” said Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). 

Today marks one year since Breonna Taylor was killed in her home by police executing a no-knock warrant.

Breonna Taylor and her family deserve justice.

It is past time for comprehensive policing reform. We are working to pass the Justice In Policing Act in the Senate.

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 13, 2021

Several other lawmakers touted the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which bans chokeholds and prohibits no-knock warrants, the type of warrant police used when they raided Taylor’s apartment. The law is named after the unarmed Black man Minneapolis police killed in May.

“One year ago today, Breonna Taylor was shot in her home by police officers. House Dems passed the #GeorgeFloydLaw to end police brutality & protect every American’s right to safety & justice. The time for change is now,” tweeted Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.).

One year ago today, Breonna Taylor was shot in her home by police officers. House Dems passed the #GeorgeFloydLaw to end police brutality & protect every American’s right to safety & justice. The time for change is now. #SayHerName pic.twitter.com/wk1ncRZkaY

— Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (@RepRoybalAllard) March 13, 2021

“Today, we commemorate the life of Breonna Taylor, who was killed in her own apartment during the execution of a no-knock warrant. As we join together to #SayHerName, we cannot be timid in our demands for change. We need #JusticeInPolicing. We need #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor,” said Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.).

Today, we commemorate the life of Breonna Taylor, who was killed in her own apartment during the execution of a no-knock warrant.

As we join together to #SayHerName, we cannot be timid in our demands for change. We need #JusticeInPolicing. We need #JusticeForBreonnaTaylor.

— Congresswoman Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) March 13, 2021

Congress has been unable to pass any comprehensive criminal justice reform in recent years due to partisan gridlock. The House last session passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in June, but it died in the GOP-held Senate.

In a sign of how widespread calls for criminal justice reform have grown, a slew of celebrities also commemorated Taylor’s death.

“Today marks one year since #BreonnaTaylor was killed. Join me, @NAACP_LDF & on-the-ground Louisville organizations in calling on your Senators to support the passing of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which reduces police racial bias and violence against people of color,” tweeted actor Samuel L. Jackson.

Today marks one year since #BreonnaTaylor was killed. Join me, @NAACP_LDF & on-the-ground Louisville organizations in calling on your Senators to support the passing of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which reduces police racial bias and violence against people of color. pic.twitter.com/Ym95sD4Adj

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) March 13, 2021