September 23, 2020
Ms. Foundation Issues Statement on the Grand Jury Decision on the Murder of Breonna Taylor
Ms. Foundation Issues Statement on the Grand Jury Decision on the Murder of Breonna Taylor
NEW YORK (September 23, 2020) – Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger released the following statement in response to the grand jury announcement regarding the murder of Breonna Taylor:
“We are disheartened and extremely disappointed at the grand jury announcement regarding the murder of Breonna Taylor. Three police officers were involved in breaking down her door in the middle of the night. Three officers fired shots without announcing themselves. Yet former Louisville Detective Brett Hankinson is the only one to be charged with wanton endangerment for carelessly shooting into the apartment complex, but not for the actual taking of a woman’s life. No one was charged for the murder of Breonna Taylor.
“Breonna Taylor’s life mattered, and this blatant disregard for her life is just another example of the injustice that Black women face in this country, and the continuing failure of our justice system to protect Black lives. Since the beginning of this country, Black women—our bodies and our lives—have been destroyed at the hands of those in power. When will it be enough? Who is held accountable for the death of an innocent Black woman? And, why has it taken six months to come to this slapdash decision? We are calling for true accountability.
“This is a grave failure of our justice system, one that occurs time and time again. Now, more than ever, we must listen to leaders calling to transform a system that does not serve and protect Black lives.
“Our thoughts are with Breonna’s family and loved ones, with the Louisville community, and with the nation as we attempt to grasp this deeply painful decision. The Ms. Foundation for Women and our grantee-partners are committed to fighting the injustices of our legal system and protecting the safety, livelihood, and future of Black women, and all women of color, in this country.”
Ms. Foundation spokespeople are available for interviews by phone or video from NYC. To schedule, please contact Sunshine Sachs at [email protected].
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For over 45 years, the Ms. Foundation for Women has worked to build women’s collective power in the U.S. to advance equity and justice for all. The Ms. Foundation invests in, and strengthens the capacity of women-led movements to advance meaningful social, cultural, and economic change in the lives of women. With equity and inclusion as the cornerstones of true democracy, the Ms. Foundation works to create a world in which the worth and dignity of every person are valued, and power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.