National Guard deployed, curfew in place, as protesters take to streets in Louisville
Protesters are gathering in Louisville, Kentucky, after charges were announced in the police shooting death of Breonna Taylor.
On Wednesday, a Jefferson County grand jury indicted former police officer Brett Hankison on three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree for his role in Taylor’s death. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. Hankison was one of three officers involved in Taylor’s fatal shooting.
Protesters who are angry that Hankison was not charged with Taylor’s death are now gathering and can be seen in videos marking in the streets.
In response, Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher has issued a 72 curfew that begins at 9 p.m. tonight.
The National Guard has also been deployed to the city.
In anticipation of the announcement of charges in the high-profile case, Louisville Mayor Greg Fisher signed an executive order on September 22 declaring a state of emergency due to the possibility of civil unrest. The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) also declared a state of emergency that cancelled all officer vacations and time-off requests. LMPD has blocked off numerous streets in the downtown area in hopes of keeping protesters contained.
Protests and demonstrations could spring up in other cities across the country.
Truckers are advised to avoid the downtown Louisville area.