Kentucky police are bracing for the possibility of large-scale protest activities in Louisville on Tuesday afternoon.
Groups have announced planed protest activities for Tuesday, August 25, in Louisville as a reaction to the police-involved shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
One of the groups, Until Freedom, plans to march from South Central Park to the Louisville Metro Police Training Academy in the southern part of the city. Participants are expected to begin gathering around 2 p.m. with “direct action” planned for 5 p.m.
Organizers remain tight-lipped about the details of the protest activities, but they have described Tuesday’s planned protests as a “massive demonstration throughout Louisville.”
It isn’t clear whether other groups will be joining Until Freedom.
The Louisville Metro Police Department has responded to reports that that the protests could become large in scale by designating Tuesday as an “All Work Day,” meaning that all officers on staff will be available to respond.
Louisville Police Maj. Aubrey Gregory said in a Monday press conference, “Some of our information we’ve received, some of those rumors, do include potential traffic shutdowns, peaceful sit-ins, if you will, on the roadways, and we’re prepared to respond to that.”
Kentucky State Police have set up a command post to assist the Louisville Metro Police Department if necessary.
According to several social media posts, trucking companies are warning drivers to expect possible “transport disruptions.”
City officials say that they will step in if the protests turn violent or if they block roadways.
For more, see Mayor Greg Fischer’s press briefing.