Success: Police Department Responsible for Deaths of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee Under Investigation

Target: Greg Fischer, Mayor of Louisville Kentucky

Goal: Encourage reforms of police department being investigated for shootings of two African Americans.

Louisville, Kentucky was recently rocked by another devastating shooting involving law enforcement and the African American community. During protests condemning the killing of Minnesota’s George Floyd, popular barbecue business owner David McAtee was gunned down by police, who had allegedly not activated their body cams as protocol requires. Mr. McAtee was reportedly killed while attempting to protect his niece, who had also been struck by a bullet. This disturbing and deadly encounter comes in the wake of the shooting of aspiring nurse Breonna Taylor, who was allegedly “mutilated with bullet holes while in her underwear” in her own home. Calls for justice in Taylor’s case were highlighted in this ForceChange petition. Thanks to such unified demands for reform, the police department at the center of both these volatile cases will now face accountability and hopeful changes for the better.

The proactive actions began with the FBI’s announcement that a federal probe would be launched into the killing of Ms. Taylor. Shortly thereafter, the police chief responsible for overseeing these officers was fired from his job. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will also conduct an investigation into Mr. McAtee’s death.

In a sweeping move that will have implications beyond these dual tragedies, Louisville mayor Greg Fischer has announced a “top-bottom” clean-up of the embattled police department. This probe will focus on issues ranging from excessive use of force to increased accountability. The mayor also wants the community to play a major role in this process.

Sign the petition below to support the mayor in his efforts to combat systemic injustice that has claimed too many lives.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mayor Fischer,

Your pledge to implement a thorough investigation and cleansing of the Louisville Metro Police Department is an important move in the right direction. Emphasizing community engagement with this process will help rebuild the fractured trust between the city and its citizens. The deaths of Breonna Taylor and David McAtee represent deep-rooted problems far beyond these individual cases or even Louisville itself.

Thank you for acknowledging that true change must come from our leaders, and it must be driven by the people.  Please continue staying vigilant in this long fight for justice.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Erin Keane