SARASOTA – All across the U.S. protesters are outraged after Kentucky’s Attorney General Daniel Cameron says, his office found that the officers were justified in their use of force that killed 26-year-old Breonna Taylor. Sparking more than 100 consecutive days of protests.
“Our investigation found that Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in their use of force after having been fired upon by Kenneth Walker,” said Cameron.
Following the announcement from the DA’s office outraged protesters took the streets of major cities like Milwaukee, Atlanta, Louisville and now here on the Suncoast.
“Which is just outrages to think we live in a country where police officers can come to your house at nighttime while you sleep,” said Ruth Beltran. “They can kill you in your sleep and not be held accountable.”
Beltran, a community activist, represents ANSWER Suncoast & The Party for Socialism and Liberation – Florida. She helped organize the Say Her Name: Justice 4 Breonna Taylor protest in Sarasota. Beltran led the dozens of protesters through the streets of downtown Sarasota so that Breonna’s name is not forgotten.
“It seems that we’ve been seen but not been heard,” said Alania Martinez.
Martinez, founder of the Leaders Rights Organization, says the months spent protesting following Breonna’s death will not go ignored and in order to bring about changes we all need to be united for this cause.
“Unification is the answer. We have to be on the same page as the lawmakers. We have to make new laws that suit and fit everyone,” said Martinez. “We have to make new laws and policies to address the things that are skipped over.”
Beltran and Martinez both say unless we come together and address racism in some police departments, retrain law enforcement to better deescalate situations, and be held accountable for their actions.
The George Floyds, the Breonna Taylors, and next name added to the list… will just be a statistic for people of color and their relationship with their local law enforcement agencies.
The protest remained peaceful without any major incident or altercation. Sarasota Police Department is reporting no arrests were made.