By Shirley Hawkins
Contributing Writer
SOUTH LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of women gathered at Norman Houston Park March 17 to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the death of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed by police officers in her Louisville, Kentucky home on March 13, 2020.
Sponsored by Black Lives Matter Grassroots with the theme Black Women are Divine, those in attendance took part in a day of joy and healing, indulging in food, entertainment, art and sisterhood.
During the “Black Women are Divine” ceremony, several drinks were poured on the ground by activist Paula Minor who urged those attending to shout out the names of other Black people who have been killed by police over the years.
Vocalists Aloe Black, Kayo and Chris Martin performed and comedienne Jonnae Thompson kept everyone laughing. Poet Yamin Watkins recited some of her works.
Mellina Abdullah, co-founder of the Los Angeles chapter of Black Lives Matter and Black Lives Matter Grassroots, said, “Breonna Taylor was a young Black woman who had infinite promise. She was a healer and a light and the police stole that not just from her family but from the world. So we will continue to celebrate her life as we celebrate the life and divinity of all black women.”
Taylor was killed after Louisville police officer used a “no knock” warrant and a battering ram to enter Taylor’s home searching for a suspect who was wanted for drug smuggling.
Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, thinking the police were intruders, fired a shot, hitting one of the officers in the leg. In response, officers returned fire 32 times. Several bullets hit Taylor, killing her.
In an effort to eliminate “no knock” warrants, U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Kentucyy and U.S. Sens. Rand Paul, Kentucky, and Cory Booker, New Jersey, introduced the Justice for Breonna Taylor Act March 11, that would prohibit federal law enforcement and police departments that receive federal funding from executing no-knock warrants. The bill is named in honor of Taylor.
“Louisvillians remember Breonna Taylor and are still grieving the tragedy of her inexcusable killing by police,” McGarvey said. “After Breonna’s death, we passed a ban on no-knock warrants at the state and local level.If we can do this in Kentucky, we can do this nationally. … The Justice for Breonna Taylor Act is going to protect people and keep our communities safe.”
Speaking at the Houston Park ceremony, Thompson said, “For me it’s important to continue to memorialize Breonna’s life and legacy. Although her life was cut short, Breonna left an impact globally that transcended race, gender, age and socioeconomic status. I believe it’s important to say her name so that her legacy will never be forgotten.”
Kalifah Ferrell, a sound therapist, said, “In my opinion, she’s a Black woman who represented so many of us. I feel it’s important to honor her life.”
Black Lives Matter celebrations also were held in Long Beach, Atlanta, Boston, Phoenix, London, Lansing, Michigan; and Boise, Idaho.
Shirley Hawkins is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers. She can be reached at metropressnews@gmail.com.
