LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky State Rep. Attica Scott, author of legislation known as "Breonna’s Law," was arrested with others Thursday evening during protests demanding justice for Breonna Taylor.
The story was first reported by WDRB in Louisville.
Lmpd have arrested Rep. Attica Scott, author of Breonna’s law pic.twitter.com/Gla14x8Es6
— Ryan Van Velzer (@RyanVanVelzer) September 25, 2020
Scott, a Louisville Democrat, was among a group of individuals arrested near the main branch of the Louisville Free Public Library and First Unitarian Church at the intersection of South Fourth and York streets, according to Tracy Dotson, a spokesman for Louisville Corrections Lodge #77 Fraternal Order of Police union.
Protesters have gathered on church property after the church's pastor, Rev. Lori Kyle, said they "advertised" it as a safe space for protesters during the city's 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. curfew.
LMPD has told Kyle that they hope to leave the area "as soon as possible" and that they have no plans "to interface with people on their property.”
As of 10:30 p.m., police have formed a line around the church, according to WDRB News reporters at the scene. Follow a livestream from the scene below:
Scott's Breonna's Law is named for Breonna Taylor, a Black woman who was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police officers who were serving a search warrant at her apartment on March 13 as part of a narcotics investigation.
A Jefferson County grand jury on Wednesday charged former Louisville Metro Police detective Brett Hankison with three felony counts of wanton endangerment for shooting into a nearby apartment during the raid on Taylor's home. Neither Hankison nor the two other officers who fired their weapons — Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Det. Myles Cosgrove — were indicted in connection with the raid or Taylor's death.
Breonna's Law would ensure any law enforcement officers executing a search warrant in Kentucky would have to physically knock and verbally announce themselves. The proposed legislation would also mandate alcohol and drug testing in the event someone is shot and killed by police. It also calls for officers' body cameras to be turned on five minutes before and after serving a warrant.
The Louisville Metro Council already banned no-knock warrants in Louisville after Taylor's death.
