(LEX 18) — Gov. Andy Beshear urges people to honor the message of Breonna Taylor's family after protests turned violent Thursday night in Louisville.
"We should honor Breonna's legacy as an EMT & the pursuit of the truth should not be marred by violence," he said on Twitter Friday morning.
In his tweet, he attached a statement from Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer. The statement can be found below.
"Breonna devoted her own life to saving other lives, to helping others, to making people smile and to bringing people together. The last thing she'd want to see right now is any more violence. Changes are being made, but it's not enough. We will not stop until there is truth, justice and accountability," said Palmer in the statement. "Breonna's legacy will not be forgotten and it's because of all of us saying her name and demanding justice. We are saying her name more each day. Thank you! Please keep saying her name. Please keep demanding justice and accountability. But let's do it the right way, without hurting each other. We can, and we will, make some real change here. Now is the time. Let's make it happen...but safely. #breewayy"
(1of2) My heart aches for Louisville & our country. Breonna Taylor’s family & the public deserve the truth. We should honor Breonna’s legacy as an EMT & the pursuit of the truth should not be marred by violence. Here is a statement her mother, Tamika, provided to me this morning. pic.twitter.com/N7792iGrlZ
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) May 29, 2020
Beshear read the statement on national television Friday morning during an appearance on CNN. He also spoke about Louisville, where he lived for 15 years before he was elected governor.
"It is a special place, but it's also a place where you can see - very easily - what hundred years of slavery, of segregation, of Jim Crow, has done to a city," said Beshear.
Beshear said Thursday's protest started peacefully but ended in violence.
"Last night's events started as a very peaceful protest," said Beshear. "One where those out there were seeking justice, and actually, it was one of the most compliant protests with the CDC guidelines that we have seen. Then, I believe, some other folks - very late, more than three hours in - came in, and ultimately instigated and caused some actions that turned in into something that it should not have been."
