GRAND RAPIDS, MI – More than a hundred people marched through downtown Grand Rapids streets Saturday afternoon chanting, “Say her name, Breonna Taylor.”
The march marked the anniversary of the death of Breonna Taylor, a Black emergency medical technician who was shot by Louisville Metro Police on March 13, 2020. She grew up in Grand Rapids, and some family members live in the area.
For cousin Tawanna Gordon, it was a day of grief.
“It’s overwhelming because we still haven’t arrived at the place that we’re ready to accept that she’s gone,” said Gordon.
The march started on the corner of Ottawa Avenue NE and Monroe Center—a street dedicated as Breonna Taylor Way last year. Gordon and cousin Erica Eaves led the group of demonstrators on a one-mile loop through the city.
“Today’s march is to make sure that people don’t forget Breonna Taylor,” Gordon said.
Taylor’s face could be seen throughout the crowd—displayed on sweatshirts and masks. A large sign at the front of the group read “Black Lives Matter #Breewayyy.”
The group walked up Monroe Center to Division Avenue before turning down Oakes Street SW. They marched past onlookers dining at restaurants on Ionia Avenue SW, headed west on Fulton Street and north on Monroe Avenue.
Marcher KT Brinson said it was important to pay tribute because Taylor was born and raised in Grand Rapids.
“Out of everywhere, this should be the main place that shows up the most,” he said.
Related: Protesters call for more accountability in fight for racial justice
Family Over Everything (FOE) organized the Grand Rapids event to stand in solidarity with Taylor’s family. The group was behind a movement that demonstrated on the corner of Pearl Street NW and Monroe Center for more than 100 consecutive days last summer.
Cristian Bartolo with FOE said the march is a reminder that they are still pushing for change.
“We’re going to reform as much of this system that Grand Rapids has in place,” he said.
The peaceful event followed a March 8 rally in which eight people were arrested. Police said they were blocking traffic, and protesters said they were targeted by officers.
FOE obtained permits to demonstrate in the street, and Grand Rapids Police used cruisers to stop traffic.
Demonstrations were held across the country Saturday, including in Detroit, Flint and Ann Arbor.
Taylor became a symbol in a nationwide movement against police brutality and racial injustice. Her family said the march was also about continuing her legacy and holding police officers accountable.
Police shot Taylor while conducting a no-knock warrant in a search for a suspect who didn’t live at the apartment. Gordon says her family is working with state lawmakers to draft a bill to ban no-knock warrants and police chokeholds.
“We’re going to continue this fight every day,” Gordon said.
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The Link LonkMarch 14, 2021 at 07:57AM
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2021/03/dont-forget-breonna-taylor-family-urges-community-at-grand-rapids-march.html
‘Don’t forget Breonna Taylor,’ family urges community at Grand Rapids march - MLive.com
https://news.google.com/search?q=forget&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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