Here’s How to Continue to Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor After the Grand Jury Indictment – Cosmopolitan.com

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On September 23, a grand jury moved to indict only one officer involved in the killing of Breonna Taylor, who was asleep in her own home when police barged in to carry out a botched raid. Sgt. Brett Hankison was charged with "wanton endangerment" because some of the 10 shots he fired during the deadly encounter ended up in a neighboring apartment. He wasn't actually charged with anything directly related to Taylor's death and faces a maximum of five years in prison. No criminal charges were brought against officer Myles Cosgrove and Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly.

After a summer defined by loss and protests for Black Lives Matter, this indictment is understandably disappointing to so many. Sadly, it's not at all surprising. As defeating as this is, it's important to press on and continue to fight for Black Lives and demand justice for Taylor. We must. If you're thinking, "well, what now?" here are some actionable steps you can take:

As the Louisville chapter of Black Lives Matter noted, "There isnt a verdict in the world that will remove white supremacy from #louisvillethats up to us as a community." Allies especially white allies who benefit from systemic racism and their privilegecan help by donating and paying reparations so that Black families in Louisville can "have the resources they need to heal and survive in the midst of this ongoing nightmare."

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Donate here, and continue to contribute to national organizations like the National Action Network, the NAACP, Equal Justice Initiative, Colin Kaepernicks Know Your Rights Camp, and Unicorn Riot.

You can also direct funds to the official GoFundMe that Taylor's family set up. Donations to that link will go toward advocating for police reform, various charities, women who want to start their own businesses, and scholarships for people who want to become emergency medical technicians and registered nurses.

Ahead of the grand jury decision, the city of Louisville imposed a curfew and declared a state of emergency, which could mean a bigger police presence at protests. It's so important to support the protestors who are brave enough to go out and take a stand in the coming days. As was the case when the Black Lives Matter protests gained steam earlier this summer, make sure you donate to national and local bail funds to ensure that those who are arrested for protesting and exercising their constitutional rights won't fall victim to the predatory bail system and legal fees.

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Consider donating to The Louisville Community Bail Fund, The Bail Project National Revolving Bail Fund, LGBTQ Fund, Emergency Release Fund, and Trans Justice Funding Project.

Seriously, this isn't just a clich. No, voting won't automatically end police brutality or make systemic racism go away, but here's why it matters: When you vote for people who, for example, support your stance on police abolition or reform, they can help introduce legislation that has the ability to impact our communities. (The Minneapolis City Council recently submitted a proposal to disband the city's police department, for example.)

Plus, state positions like the Kentucky Attorney General are elected. Mind you, the current AG, Daniel Cameron, is up for re-election in 2024 and is the same guy who said the officers were "justified in their use of force" against Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend. And Cameron is on Donald Trump's short list to replace Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, so keep that in mind when it's time to vote.

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This might sound like a broken record at this point, but it bears repeating: Take care of yourself first and foremost. It's been a centuries-long journey to get to where we are today, and there's still so much more that needs to be done to achieve true equality and justice for slain Black people like Taylor. But you can't be of service to anyone else if you're not looking after your mental, physical, or emotional health. (For mental health resources for Black women, check out this guide.) If you need time, rest. Then, come back stronger and ready to work.

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Here's How to Continue to Demand Justice for Breonna Taylor After the Grand Jury Indictment - Cosmopolitan.com