64.2 F
Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Protesters line Downtown Ocala to honor Breonna Taylor

Protesters lined Downtown Ocala on Friday in honor of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT who was fatally shot by police officers who raided her apartment in March.

The demonstration, which saw dozens of protesters at its peak, took place along Silver Springs Boulevard, across from the downtown Ocala square. It was held on the day that would have been Taylor’s 27th birthday.

Protesters hold a ‘Stop Domestic Terror on Blacks’ sign during a demonstration to honor Breonna Taylor.
‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘I Can’t Breathe’ signs at Breonna Taylor protests in downtown Ocala.
Protesters line Silver Springs Boulevard outside of the Downtown Ocala Square in honor of Breonna Taylor.

Taylor was killed on March 13 after police entered her apartment with a “no-knock” warrant in Louisville, Ky. Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, also was injured in the shooting, and has been cleared of charges after indicating that he acted in self defense once the officers refused to identify themselves.

A GoFundMe account that was established for Taylor’s family generated nearly $4 million in only two days.

Protesters on Friday held signs asking for justice for Breonna Taylor, sentiments echoed last weekend by Ocala protesters honoring George Floyd. Floyd died while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department after officer Derek Chauvin kept him pinned by his neck for more than eight minutes.