LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — On the day that would've been Breonna Taylor's 27th birthday, protesters gathered to protest against police brutality for the eighth straight night.The protests are in the wake of the recent deaths of Taylor and George Floyd.
To honor Taylor, protesters gathered together and chanted "Say her name" followed by "Breonna Taylor." Protesters also sang happy birthday to Breonna Taylor.
“Say her name, Breonna Taylor!” Today would have been Breonna’s 27th birthday. She was reportedly shot 8 times in her Louisville home by officers executing a “no knock” search warrant. @LEX18News #BreonnaTaylor pic.twitter.com/C4JKjasstj
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) June 6, 2020
Protest leaders reminded protesters to stay peaceful and not to argue amongst each other. So far, protests in Lexington have remained relatively peaceful outside of one incident.
Night No. 8 of protests in Lexington is also the second night that police set up barricades to prevent protesters from getting to close. Police are also not wearing riot gear for the second straight night.
dFor the second day in a row police are not wearing riot gear but have put a gate up around the police station. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/YU7oVEHNjA
— Eleanor Buckley (@elbuckleyTV) June 6, 2020
At one point, protesters took a knee for eight minutes underneath a portrait of Breonna Taylor that hangs above the bus station on Vine Street. The eight minutes represents the eight times Taylor was shot by police.
fFor the second day in a row police are not wearing riot gear but have put a gate up around the police station. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/YU7oVEHNjA
— Eleanor Buckley (@elbuckleyTV) June 6, 2020
When protesters marched by the Kentucky Theater, employees of Kentucky Theater held up their fists in solidarity.
Employees at the Kentucky Theater all stood outside with fists in the air as the protesters walked by. “It’s a show of solidarity. We support the movement, there needs to be justice.” @LEX18News #protests2020 pic.twitter.com/ebpGrKlqar
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) June 6, 2020
Among the protesters were a handful of children. Parents said this is an important message to teach their kids and that it is important that they see what is going on as it will likely be remembered for a long time in history.
Kids are out protesting too, things have stayed pretty peaceful here and parents tell me this is an important message to teach their kids. This is history in the making they say. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/sVaABU2tXs
— Eleanor Buckley (@elbuckleyTV) June 6, 2020
There was some hostility between protesters and some people that were having some drinks at Centro Cheapside. A protester wanted them to join the march.
Some hostility between protesters and people at Centro. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/8fqaWL3Voo
— Eleanor Buckley (@elbuckleyTV) June 6, 2020
Citing the horrid history of Cheapside, where human beings were sold as property, April Taylor points out the irony of this area now being used as a place to party. Going forward during protests, “You won’t be eating and drinking in peace...we can promise you that.” @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/jau4DpEnTx
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) June 6, 2020
Around 11:30 p.m. protesters returned to police headquarters and tried to get officers to dance with them. They smiled and kindly denied, and then started handing out popsicles to the crowd.
The crowd of protesters is back in front of police headquarters, they are trying to get the officers to DANCE with them. The police chief is laughing and shaking his head. @LEX18News #protests2020 pic.twitter.com/vimaHd4p1E
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) June 6, 2020
One of the officers, however, decided to accept the challenge.
One brave soul has approached the crowd of protesters to bust a move. Some other officers are saying “you don’t want to see me dance.” @LEX18News #protests2020 #lexington pic.twitter.com/ReGTFDLboc
— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) June 6, 2020
