It's Been A Year But We're Still Here
This past Saturday was the one year anniversary of Breonna Taylor's death at the hands of LMPD. To mark the occasion people took to the streets, here in Louisville and in cities across the country to remember Breonna and 'say her name'.
Several hundred people turned out here in Louisville for speeches, chanting, and marching.
After a hiatus for winter the memorial has returned to the park as well.
"Keep Going" seemed to be the theme of the day. With no end in sight and little in the way of real changes yet, it's easy to get discouraged.
Seeing so many people turn out (and so many familiar faces again) was a great morale boost though. We may be in this for the long haul but at least we have plenty of good company.
I don't think you could ask for a more glaring contrast than between the vibe in the park and all the dump trucks and concrete barricades that the city 'treated' us to. We had musical performances, they had snipers and spotlights on the rooftops..
Needless to say, the city's response has only given us added incentive to keep going. After a few hours of speakers and whatnot in the park it was marching time!
I've been on a march or two at this point but the only one I recall with a bigger turnout was the one around Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby (that one was 1000+ people).
One of our regular chants is "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, fuck 12!" (12 is slang/shorthand for the police) At this point there is a complete lack of trust between protesters and LMPD Accordingly, protesters provide their own security at the park and while out on marches.
You can hardly go marching and not have chants going! I don't know how it is elsewhere but that is just part and parcel of protesting/marching here.
The Kentucky General Assembly is in the process of making it illegal to insult a cop here in the commonwealth (hooray freedom!) so everyone was trying to get in extra helpings of abuse while they still could.
That's enough for one post but I've still got more photos from Saturday so stay tuned!
Thank you!
keep going, brother.
wonderful storytelling
Thanks!
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great series. hope to see more
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Thank you!
Rest in peace Breonna. Thanks for sharing. As i first glanced at the photos, I thought this was from 50 years ago.
It's really disappointing to still such injustice and dispicable hatred in 2021. Stand up to the oppressors and tou can affect change. Well done to all involved in the peaceful demonstration.
Congrats on being currated by @curangel and @nikv! I was lucky to be chosen by @curangel as well, so i am taking the time to read and upvote all others chosen to say thanks.
The more things change the more they stay the same...I was reading a Hunter Thompson piece the other day from the 60s or 70s ripping on Louisville (he was from here) for much the same reasons as why we're out in the streets now.
I grew up in an area that was 98% white, moving to the city was an eye opener, the hate and racism that I'd been taught was 'history' was most definitely alive and well. It's more covert now but equally pernicious. We've been at this for a year now and will remain as long as it takes, as one of our chants go, "all you have to lose are your chains."
Thanks, and thanks for dropping by! @curangel and the curators are some good people doing good work. That is quite the task, their list only gets longer each day.
It's very sad to see that and to hear about it firsthand and for you to see it firsthand. The first step is people saying "hold on, no! I don't agree with this. It is morally wrong and i wont stand idly by"
Good on you. You sound like a decent principled person. Keep up the great work.