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Louisville protesters want to ‘shut this entire city down’ for Breonna Taylor

Louisville protesters want to ‘shut this entire city down’ for Breonna Taylor 1

LOUISVILLE, KY – Protesters have filled the streets of Louisville, Kentucky, since the grand jury declared that the officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor were justified since they were being shot at by her boyfriend.

People who must certainly believe that officers should not be able to return fire have shown up in droves since Sept. 23, when the verdict was rendered. Reports are now coming out that the protesters want to shut the city down.

Protesters and police clashed Sept. 25 after hundreds of people, some armed, were involved in an assembly that the Louisville Metro Police Department deemed unlawful. 

When the protesters refused to disperse as ordered, the police used flashbangs to move the crowds along and keep them on the sidewalks. 

USA Today reported:

“About two hours before the city’s 9 p.m. curfew went into effect, a clash between police and protesters had already occurred as police used flash bangs to disperse a crowd, briefly blocked the route of a march, arrested two people and declared an unlawful assembly.

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In a statement, police said the incident occurred because people did not get on the sidewalk when asked to allow traffic to flow.”

These protests happened after two Louisville Metro Officers had been shot  Sept. 23 in the line of duty.  One of the officers who was shot was able to return to duty the next day, the other is listed in stable condition after having had surgery.

Protesters announced Sept. 25 that they were in the city to close it down for business.  One protester allegedly said:

“We’ve come to shut this entire city down.”

A protester with a bullhorn was heard warning people to reconsider staying past the 9 p.m. curfew if they have any pre-existing conditions or did not want to be arrested.  He then added a chilling thought for those who were willing. He said:

“We are going to war tonight.”

The reason has nothing to do with “justice” for Breonna Taylor. It is because they do not feel that local business owners are doing enough to support the Black Lives Matter political movement.  So, in order to make sure that these businesses are woke, they planned to storm through, as they have done in Washington, D.C., and Texas.

Reporters on the ground noted that a large portion of the protesters ignored the 9 p.m. curfew that had been put in place before the grand jury decision was rendered. Despite the curfew, it appeared that police allowed protesters to do what they wanted and walk back to their cars without getting arrested.

Protesters complained when officers utilized less-lethal munitions and chemical agents to force them back into compliance with the law.

Hindering the police efforts in direct opposition to the law, a local church offered “safe space” to the protesters.

The First Unitarian Church in Louisville invited protesters and rioters onto their grounds to offer them refuge and free food. In doing so, they also aided and abetted criminals by helping them evade arrest.  A member of the misguided church said:

“We are offering a sanctuary space here because we feel like we need a space of love.”

The city’s curfew has been in place since the weekend before the grand jury decision was announced.  Democratic Mayor Greg Fischer has extended the curfew through this weekend. 

Only one of the officers involved, Officer Brett Hankison, was indicted for his role in the execution of a search warrant on Taylor’s apartment. Hankison, who was fired earlier this year, was indicted on three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree.  His bond was set at $15,000. 

Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove were not indicted by the grand jury.

For the past week, Louisville has been gearing up for the likelihood of “unrest” from the decision.

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Here is the information on the man who shot two Louisville police officers during the latest riots and protests.

LOUISVILLE, KY – Police say they’ve arrested a man who opened fire on the evening of the Breonna Taylor grand jury decision Sept. 23, hitting two Louisville Metro police officers.

Suspect Larynzo Johnson, 26, has been charged with 14 counts of wanton endangerment on a police officer and two counts of assault on a police officer.

During his arraignment Friday, Johnson entered a plea of not guilty before the judge set bond at $1 million and appointed a public defender to represent him. Johnson’s next court date is set for Oct.5. 

The shooting happened after 8:30 p.m. and took place when officers responded to a large crowd gathering near South Brook and East College streets.

According to interim police chief Rob Schroeder, officers were called out to investigate reports of shots fired.

When officers arrived to the area of South First and East Broadway, the attack began and two of the LMPD officers were wounded.

The two men, Maj. Aubrey Gregory and Officer Robinson Desroches, were rushed to University Hospital for treatment.

According to Schroeder, Gregory was shot in the hip and was treated and released from the hospital. Schroeder said Desroches had to undergo surgery and is recuperating. Schroeder said:

“I’m very concerned about the safety of our officers tonight. Obviously, we’ve had two officers shot tonight. That is a very serious and a very dangerous condition. I think the safety of our officers and of the community we serve is of the uppermost importance.”

The FBI in Louisville announced on Twitter that its SWAT team assisted the LMPD in the officer shooting investigation.

President Donald Trump weighed in and once again offered assistance from the feds. Trump tweeted:

“Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request!”

LET learned that just hours before the shooting, police were warned . . . as riot supplies, including homemade shields, were unloaded from a rental van and dispersed into the city.

More on all of that in a minute.  First . . . the backstory.

On Sept. 23 in the afternoon, a Kentucky grand jury decided that the officers involved in the death of Breonna Taylor were justified in the shooting.

Shortly after, a protester hurled a death threat at Louisville police officers, saying that they should, “get ready to (expletive) die.”

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Video of the incident has widely circulated on social media after it was shared by Town Hall reporter Julio Rosas. The video shows the protester marching alongside other demonstrators when he randomly screams a death threat at the officers who are standing guard.

The grand jury did indict one of the three officers involved in Taylor’s shooting that took place inside of her Louisville apartment. The charges are connected to the firing of shots into the neighboring apartment.

The apartment was occupied by three people, including a pregnant woman and a child. Former officer Brett Hankison was indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. Breitbart News reported:

“Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron explained Wednesday afternoon that no police officers would be charged directly for the death of Breonna Taylor in Louisville in March because they knocked before entering her boyfriend’s apartment”

“Taylor, 26, was killed in the crossfire when her boyfriend opened fire at the police. After expressing his condolences to Taylor’s family, Cameron explained that the officers who had shot Taylor would not be charged because they had been fired upon first and because her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, testified that they had knocked first.”

After the announcement, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued a statement regarding Cameron’s explanation. He said:

“Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron led a complete inquiry to find the truth and pursue justice. I have total confidence he followed the facts and the legal process in his decision.”

Cameron said that his team concluded the last interview of their investigation on Friday, Sept. 18, and began presenting evidence before the grand jury on Monday, Sept. 21.

On the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 23, prosecutors finished presenting their evidence and a few hours later the grand jury rendered its report to the judge.

Cameron then told reporters that his office’s investigation had determined that despite the fact that the officers had a “no-knock” warrant the night Taylor was killed, police did announce themselves before they attempted to enter the apartment.

He explained that an independent civilian witness had confirmed having heard the officers announce themselves. It was after that clear announcement that the officers entered the residence and saw a man and woman at the end of the hallway.

Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly was immediately shot at. Cameron said:

“Kenneth Walker fired the shot that hit Sgt. Mattingly.”

Cameron also debunked the claims made by Walker that Sgt. Mattingly was instead shot by a fellow officer during the chaos that ensued. Cameron explained that Sgt. Mattingly was struck by a 9 mm bullet from Walker’s weapon and officers had been carrying 40-caliber weapons.

Cameron then said that Walker opened fire:

“Mattingly fired six shots and Cosgrove fired 16 shots simultaneously.”

Cameron also said that the ruling is clear:

“Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in their use of force after being fired on by Walker.”

Cameron reiterated that homicide charges were not applicable in the case. He said:

“The investigation showed that Mattingly and Cosgrove were justified in the return of deadly fire.”

In his announcement, Cameron urged the community to ignore those who would try to incite unrest in Louisville in response to the grand jury’s decision. He said in a statement:

“The truth is now before us. The facts have been examined and a grand jury comprised of our peers and fellow citizens has rendered a decision.”

He pleaded with would-be violent protesters to accept the grand jury’s decision. He added:

“Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice. It just becomes revenge and in our system, criminal justice isn’t the quest for revenge. It’s the quest for truth, evidence, and facts and the use of that truth as we fairly apply our laws.”

Despite Cameron’s requests, protesters almost immediately took to the streets of Louisville. Videos circulating on social media show protesters unloading shields and signs from a U-Haul truck. One shield read “BLM” in red and another one had the phrase “Protect Black Women.”

Another video on social media shows protesters shouting, “We didn’t get it, burn it down!” while marching through the streets of Louisville. Protesters were also seen with signs demanding that the police be abolished.

After Cameron’s announcement, President Donald Trump praised him and his investigation. He said:

“Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron is doing a fantastic job. I think he’s a star.”

Trump even quoted something Cameron said when he was publicly discussing the Taylor case:

“Justice is not often easy. It does not fit the mold of public opinion and it does not conform to shifting standards. It answers only to the facts and to the law. If we simply act on emotion or outrage, there is no justice. Mob justice is not justice. Justice sought by violence is not justice, it just becomes revenge.”

After quoting Cameron, Trump said that it was a terrific statement. He also said he would be speaking to Gov. Andy Beshear, who sent the Kentucky National Guard to Louisville. Trump said:

“I understand he’s called up the National Guard, which is a good thing. And, it’ll all work out.”

During his announcement of the verdict, Cameron said:

“I know that not everyone will be satisfied with the charges announced today.”

He spoke of celebrities, influencers and activists, specifically those outside of Kentucky, and how they will try to tell people how they should feel about this decision. He said:

“They will try to tell us how to feel, suggesting they understand the facts of this case, that they know our community and the Commonwealth better than we do, but they don’t.”

Fast forward to the shooting, which left the National Guard and police on high alert in Louisville, where they ended up standing guard over a hospital where two officer had been rushed for treatment.

They also received aerial support.

Police patrolled on foot and in the air to protect the entrances to the medical facility treating the two officers who had been shot during the riot.

The high alert came after a California hospital was stormed earlier this month by protestors after two deputies were ambushed and shot in the head.  In that case, protesters blocked the entrances and exits of the hospital.

Wednesday’s shooting was confirmed in the evening by a spokesperson for the Louisville Metro Police Department.

It happened just before 8:30 p.m. around South Brook and East Broadway.

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