By Mark Gray
4:12pm PDT, Sep 23, 2020
On Sept. 23, Kentucky Attorney General, Daniel Cameron, announced that no officers would be charged in the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black EMT who was killed in her home by Louisville police officers in March (Officer Brett Hankison was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree for firing into neighboring apartments that evening, but again, he was exonerated in Breonna's death.) Following the grand jury's decision, many in Hollywood erupted in outrage. Gabrielle Union, for instance retweeted a Malcom X quote in which he said, "The most disrespected person in America is the black woman. The most unprotected person in America is the black woman. The most neglected person in America is the black woman." Click through to see how other celebrities are reacting to the news.
"This is shameful. They murdered her in her own home." —Emmy Rossum
"This is is a PRIME example of Rotten to the CORE!!! UnJust!!!! Disrespectful and BLATANT DISREGARD!!!! Infuriated!!!!!!!" —Alicia Keys
"JUSTICE. FOR. BREONNA. TAYLOR." –Common
"Bulls— decision!!! BLACK LIVES MATTER!!! Cannot be said enough times." –Viola Davis
"Wanton endangerment? That's what we're calling killing a a person as the sleep now?!" –Yvette Nicole Brown
"Dear God No! Why does an empty apartment have more value than an innocent black woman's life? #BreonnaTaylor" –Patricia Arquette
"My heart breaks for Breonna Taylor's family and friends. This once again points to the need for systemic change. Breonna Taylor's life mattered. Keep saying her name." –Maria Shriver
"What is most insulting is that the recommended charges aren't even in response to the MURDER of Breonna Taylor, but to the POTENTIAL injury of other people in the apartment….. 'No knock warrants' feels analogous to the experience of being Black in America … The unsolicited intrusion of racism and violence dealt with on a daily basis …" –Yara Shahidi
"Daniel Cameron just called Breonna Taylor's death 'part of a national story.' No, man. Her death is a robbery. Those officers robbed her of her life. They robbed her family and her boyfriend of their loved one. They robbed Louisville of a first responder. Who elected this man?" Joy Reid tweeted. "Apparently, no one killed Breonna Taylor. She simply died in a 'tragedy. Like she had a hard fall or got hit by a bus. This apparently is the law in the State of Kentucky, according to @kyoag Cameron."
"BREONNA TAYLOR. She deserves better. She should be alive. Bare minimum. But since she isn't- I'm praying for her family. Praying for #LouisvilleKy" –JoJo
"Brett Hankinson, one of Breonna Taylor's murderers, was NOT charged with murder, but with wanton endangerment. This crime is punishable with up to five years in prison. That's one year for each bullet fired into her sleeping body. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. #JusticeForBreonna" –Ron Perlman
"#BreonnaTaylor was murdered in her own home on March 13th. She was murdered by three people who swore to serve and protect her. Today is September 23nd. One man was charged with "Wanton Endangerment" and the other two still walk free." –Natalie Morales
"Grand jury did not find that Hankison wantonly fired into Taylor's apt… Mattingly, Cosgrove & Hankison fired more than two dozen rounds..she was hit 5 times," Jeffrey Wright tweeted. "No charges for killing her. Change the laws!"
