You Should Also Be Paying Attention to Breonna Taylor's Death

Taylor was a 26-year-old emergency room technician who died following a violent incident with Louisville police.

Breonna Taylor would have been 27 years old today. Two months ago the emergency room technician was gunned down after police broke down the door into her apartment. The officers involved in the shooting have neither been arrested or charged. 

According to the ACLU, police violence ravages Black women and girls. In a report, the organization notes that though Black Lives Matter was founded by three Black women, they are largely left out of the national narrative on police violence. Today, we are highlighting Breonna Taylor's case in an attempt to draw attention to her wrongful death.

During the violent incident involving Taylor which took place in Louisville, Kentucky two months ago, Taylor was shot eight times after a brief confrontation. Taylor's mother made an appearance on Good Morning America to touch on why it's necessary to keep her top of mind despite the other police shootings that have happened, reports People. On May 21, the FBI Louisville office announced an investigation would be opening to figure out the circumstances surrounding Taylor's death.

During the Good Morning America interview Taylor's mother shared:

"The erasure of black women is a consequence of that fact that we don’t know their names and therefore we don’t know their stories. Say Her Name attempts to make the death of black women an active part of this conversation by saying her names. If black lives really do matter, all black lives have to matter. That means black lives across gender have to be lifted up."

Taylor's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit two months after the killing. The charges they claimed transpired during the shooting included battery, wrongful death, excessive force, negligence and gross negligence, per CNN. A no-knock warrant issued by police included Taylor's house, according to a police affidavit for a search warrant for the raid. Authorities reportedly suspected a man involved in a drug ring allegedly was receiving packages of drugs at her home.

We previously reported Benjamin Crump is representing Taylor's family. The FBI is currently investigating the case.

One standout campaign, #BirthdayForBreonna called for participants to send birthday cards to Kentucky Atty. Gen. Daniel Cameron, the Louisville police, Mayor Greg Fischer and Gov. Andy Besehar in a way to honor Taylor’s birthday, per the Los Angeles Times. Take a look at more ways you can be a voice for Taylor's family below.

How You Can Help Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor

Donate to the family's official GoFundMe campaign.

Sign the official petition calling for justice for Taylor's unjust killing.

Send a fully scripted email directly to the Kentucky Attorney General, the Mayor, and the Governor.

Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund which will directly go to protestors who have been on the ground.

Send Breonna Taylor's family a note affirming your support.

For more ways to support Taylor's family and continue fighting for justice, head here.

Take a look at the celebrities who are supporting Taylor's family.

On Sunday, June 14 Beyoncé wrote a letter to Daniel Cameron, the Attorney General of Kentucky. In the letter, she urged Cameron to take action and bring justice to Breonna Taylor.

She wrote, "Three months have passed -- and Breonna Taylor's family still waits for justice. Ms. Taylor's family has not been able to take time to process and grieve. Instead, they have been working tirelessly to rally the support of friends, their community, and the country."

Beyoncé also described three actions that should take place immediately:

 "Bring criminal charges against Jonathan Mattingly, Myles Cosgrove, and Brett Hankison. Commit to transparency in the investigation and prosecution of these officers' criminal conduct. Investigate the LMPD's response to Breonna Taylor's murder, as well the pervasive practices that result in the repeated deaths of unarmed Black citizens."

She also added:

"Don't let this case fall into the pattern of no action after a terrible tragedy. With every death of a Black person at the hands of the police, there are two real tragedies: the death itself, and the inaction and delays that follow it. This is your chance to end that pattern. Take swift and decisive action in charging the officers. The next months cannot look like the last three."

Head to Beyoncé's official website to read the entire letter.