Page 26 - Paths to Change

About the Text On March 13, 2020, Breonna Taylor was fatally shot in her home by Louisville police. The officers were able to enter her home without knocking or saying who they were by executing a No-Knock Warrant. Police used a battering ram to knock down the door and shot Breonna 8 times, killing her. The individuals police were looking for were already in custody. Neither of the individuals lived at Breonna’s address. As of July 2020, none of the officers involved with Breonna’s murder had been fired, arrested, or charged. Breonna’s name (in addition to Ahmaud Arbery) is often chanted during George Floyd protests as these murders contributed to the rising tensions around race relations and anger in the Black community that eventually erupted following the murder of George Floyd. This document, which was posted on the Black Lives Matter - Louisville Instagram page, celebrates the passing of legislation banning No-Knock Warrants by the Louisville Metro Council referred to as Breonna’s Law. The legislation came after weeks of pressure and phone calls from across the nation demanding justice for Breonna and an end to No-Knock Warrants. Educators may consider using this opportunity to gauge the extent of students’ knowledge of the Black Lives Matter movement. Invite students to share their experiences and knowledge of the movement. Share background knowledge as needed and encourage students to seek more information to understand the BLM movement’s function and funding. Student Questions & Sample Responses 1. Examine the post’s image: Who is depicted? What symbols are present and what feelings do they convey? The image shows Breonna Taylor. The symbols included on the image are a halo above Breonna’s head and the Black Lives Matter Louisville logo. The halo above Breonna’s head implies she is an angel, invoking feelings of sadness by reminding us of her death and the reason for the law. The Black Lives Matter Louisville logo shows two black fists representing Black power and the fight of Black Americans for equality. This invokes feelings of strength and hope. 2. What is the primary goal of the post? Text 4: Breonna’s Law Post Educator Guide The Black Inquiry Project 25