“I was reassured Wednesday of why I have no faith in the legal system. . . The police and law were not made to protect us Black and brown women.” 

- Tamika Palmer, Mother of Breonna Taylor

 

Breonna Taylor deserved the very justice that the criminal justice system so readily says it’s meant to provide. Breonna Taylor deserved the very service and protection that the police took an oath to perform.  Breonna Taylor deserved the very life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness that the Constitution declared is an inalienable right for each and every citizen of these United States.  Yet again, like the many men and womxn that preceded her, Breonna Taylor received no such justice. 

We stand in solidarity with people around the world who  are outraged and heartbroken by the recent decision by the Louisville grand jury.  Breonna Taylor, a black womxn and victim, was shot and killed by Louisville police officers in March during a reckless and negligent raid on her apartment.  After over 100 days of public outcry for the arrest of the police officers, the grand jury’s decision and Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s statements further validate the great significance of the Black Lives Matter Movement and all social justice movements.  This injustice highlights the racial disparities and broken “justice” system that continues to rear its ugly head in our country day after day and year after year. 

It’s time for a change.  Our work has just begun.  The National Womxn of Color Collective will continue in our mission to create a safe space for womxn of color to grow, thrive, and connect in the legal profession where we are severely underrepresented.   We will continue in our mission to educate the public, foster support for womxn of color in the legal profession, and facilitate greater diversity within the profession.  Because Black Lives Matter.  Because Black womxn must be respected and protected. 

Our sincerest condolences to family and friends in Breonna Taylor. We will honor her memory by being the change we so desperately need to see.

 

For more information about the National Womxn of Color Collective, visit https://nationalwocc.org.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Brittany Gail Thomas, Director of Communications, by email at bgt@nationalwocc.org.

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