“OUTRAGEOUS and OFFENSIVE” Ism and Demanding Police Reform
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Vegan Elements Thursday September 24, 2020 T: 582-7800 www.arubatoday.com facebook.com/arubatoday instagram.com/arubatoday Page 8 Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper 1 officer indicted in Breonna Taylor case; not for her death By DYAN LOVAN and PIPER HUDSPETH BLACKBURN Associated Press/Report for America LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky grand jury brought no charges against Louisville police for the killing of Breonna Tay- lor during a drug raid gone wrong, with prosecutors saying Wednesday two of- ficers who fired their weap- ons at the Black woman were justified in using force to protect themselves. The grand jury instead charged fired Officer Brett Hankison with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing into Taylor's neigh- bors' homes during the raid on the night of March 13. The FBI is still investigating potential violations of fed- eral law in the case. Along with the killing of George Floyd in Minneso- ta, Taylor's case became a major touchstone for the nationwide protests that have gripped the nation since May — drawing at- tention to entrenched rac- “OUTRAGEOUS AND OFFENSIVE” ism and demanding police reform. This undated photo provided by Taylor family attorney Sam Aguiar shows Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky. Continued on next page Associated Press A2 THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2020 UP FRONT general, said that the offi- Trump's list to fill a future Su- cers acted in self-defense preme Court vacancy. after Taylor's boyfriend fired Before charges were at them. He added that brought, Hankison was Hankison and the two other fired from the city's police officers who entered Tay- department on June 23. lor's apartment announced A termination letter sent themselves before entering to him by interim Louisville — and so did not execute Police Chief Robert Schro- the warrant as "no-knock," eder said the white officer according to the investiga- had violated procedures tion. by showing "extreme in- "According to Kentucky difference to the value of law, the use of force by (Of- human life" when he "wan- ficers Jonathan) Mattingly tonly and blindly" shot 10 and (Myles) Cosgrove was rounds of gunfire into Tay- justified to protect them- lor's apartment in March. selves," he said. "This justifi- Hankison had already cation bars us from pursu- been placed on admin- ing criminal charges in Miss istrative reassignment, as Breonna Taylor's death." were Sgt. Johnathan Mat- Taylor's boyfriend, Kenneth tingly, Officer Myles Cos- Walker, opened fire when grove and the detective police burst in, hitting Mat- who sought the warrant, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron addresses the media following the return of a grand jury investigation into the death of Breonna Taylor, in Frankfort, Ky., Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020. tingly. Walker was charged Joshua Jaynes. Associated Press with attempted murder of On Sept. 15, the city settled a police officer, but pros- a lawsuit against the three Continued from Front offensive!" the laws under which those ecutors later dropped the officers brought by Taylor's Taylor's image has been "Justice has NOT been officers are charged, which charge. mother, Tamika Palmer, painted on streets, em- served," tweeted Linda regularly favor working po- Walker told police he agreeing to pay her $12 blazoned on protest signs Sarsour of Until Freedom, a lice and do not often result heard knocking but didn't million and enact police and silk-screened on T-shirts group that has pushed for in steep criminal accusa- know who was coming into reforms. Protesters in Louis- worn by celebrities. charges in the case. tions. the home and fired in self- ville and across the coun- The charges drew imme- Taylor, an emergency At a news conference, defense. Regarding the dis- try have demanded justice diate sadness, frustration medical worker, was shot state Attorney General appointment of those who for Taylor and other Black and anger that the grand multiple times by officers Daniel Cameron spoke to wanted criminal charges people killed by police in jury did not go further. The who entered her home on that disconnect. brought in Taylor's death, recent months. The release wanton endangerment a no-knock warrant during "Criminal law is not meant he remarked, "The decision in late May of a 911 call by charges each carry a sen- a narcotics investigation. to respond to every sorrow before my office as the spe- Taylor's boyfriend marked tence of up to five years. The warrant used to search and grief," Cameron told cial prosecutor in this case the beginning of days of Protesters began march- her home was connected reporters after the charges was not to decide if the protests in Louisville, fueled ing through the streets of to a suspect who did not were announced. loss of Ms. Taylor's life was a by her shooting and the Louisville, where Taylor was live there, and no drugs "But my heart breaks for the tragedy. The answer to that killing of Floyd while at the killed, after the announce- were found inside. The use loss of Miss Taylor. And I've is unequivocally yes." hands of police in Minne- ment, shouting "No justice, of no-knock warrants has said that repeatedly. My A Republican, Cameron is apolis on May 25. no peace." Some sat qui- since been banned by Lou- mother, if something was to a protege of Senate Ma- Several prominent Afri- etly and cried. isville's Metro Council. happen to me, would find jority Leader Mitch McCon- can American celebrities Attorney Ben Crump, who The case exposed the wide it very hard," he added, nell who has been tagged including Oprah and Be- is representing Taylor's fam- gulf between public opin- choking up. by some as his heir appar- yoncé have joined those ily, called the grand jury's ion on justice for those who But Cameron, who is the ent. His was also one of 20 urging that the officers be decision "outrageous and kill Black Americans, and state's first Black attorney names on President Donald charged.q Single-dose vaccine tested as U.S. experts say no corners cut WASHINGTON (AP) — A vaccine, although there health experts for his own huge international study of is never a guarantee of political ends," Sen. Patty a COVID-19 vaccine that that," Dr. Anthony Fauci, Murray, a Democrat from aims to work with just one infectious disease chief at Washington state, said be- dose is getting underway the National Institutes of fore ticking off examples of as top U.S. health officials Health, told a Senate com- pressure on the FDA. sought Wednesday to as- mittee. But President Don- FDA Commissioner Stephen sure a skeptical Congress ald Trump is pushing for a Hahn pledged that career and public that they can faster timeline than many scientists, not politicians, trust any shots the govern- experts say is adequate to will decide whether any ment ultimately approves. fully test the candidates. coronavirus vaccine meets Hopes are high that an- On Wednesday he tweet- clearly stated standards swers about at least one ed a link to news about the that it works and is safe. of several candidates be- new Johnson & Johnson "Science will guide our de- Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy ing tested in the U.S. could vaccine study and said the cisions. FDA will not permit and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, testi- come by year's end, may- Food and Drug Administra- any pressure from anyone fies during a Senate Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pen- be sooner. tion "must move quickly!" to change that," Hahn said. sions Committee Hearing on the federal government response "We feel cautiously optimis- "President Trump is still try- "I will put the interest of the to COVID-19 on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, in Wash- tic that we will be able to ing to sabotage the work American people above ington. have a safe and effective of our scientists and public anything else."q Associated Press A3 U.S. NEWS THURSDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 2020 Ginsburg remembered as prophet for justice, American icon By MARK SHERMAN and court in tribute. Court work- MATTHEW BARAKAT ers cleared away the items Associated Press and cleaned the court WASHINGTON (AP) — With plaza and sidewalk in ad- crowds of admirers swell- vance of Wednesday's cer- ing outside, Supreme Court emony. Justice Ruth Bader Gins- Inside, the entrance to burg was remembered the courtroom, along with Wednesday at the court by Ginsburg's chair and place grieving family, colleagues on the bench next to Rob- and friends as a prophet erts, have been draped in for justice who persevered black, a longstanding court against long odds to be- custom. These visual signs come an American icon. of mourning, which in years The court's eight justices, past have reinforced the masked along with every- sense of loss, will largely go one else because of the unseen this year. The court coronavirus pandemic, begins its new term Oct. 5, gathered for the first time but the justices will not be in more than six months in the courtroom and in- for the ceremony to mark stead will hear arguments Ginsburg's death from can- by phone. cer last week at age 87 af- On Friday, Ginsburg will lie ter 27 years on the court. The flag-draped casket of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, carried by Supreme Court police officers, in state at the Capitol, the Washington already is con- arrives in the Great Hall at the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020.