Activists who have been calling for the arrests of the three officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s March 13 killing have decided it’s time to literally spell it out. A new Louisville TV ad types out demands to Kentucky’s attorney general Daniel Cameron (who is Black) and Louisville’s mayor Greg Fischer (who is white). It simply says, “Fire. Arrest. Charge. The police officers who killed her. Today." Released Wednesday (July 29) and tweeted by UltraViolet, it was produced via a collaboration between UltraViolet, Color of Change and Black Lives Matter Louisville activists.

Twenty-six-year-old Taylor died in a spray of bullets from police, as she slept in her Louisville home. The ad—which will run through early August on Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS affiliates throughout the city—features a typewriter with a message to the AG and the mayor that also pushes them to #SayHerName, in addition to charging officers Brett Hankison, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, all of whom have been reassigned pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.

It’s been 133 days since #BreonnaTaylor was murdered.
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rnTell @kyoag it’s time for accountability: https://t.co/OFMyfkt1Ys pic.twitter.com/OGdxbmXcwE

rn— UltraViolet (@UltraViolet) July 24, 2020

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rnIn an emailed statement, each collaborator expressed exasperation with the state’s top lawyer and mayor, but also vowed to not stop fighting:

Chanelle Helm, lead organizer of BLM Louisville:

What we’re witnessing is why #SayHerName exists and how Louisville Metro Police Department and the city of Louisville moves as usual. It is evident, since March 13th, that there are no real intentions to support justice in this case by the Mayor’s office or LMPD. What we see now is the reason why Black femmes are forgotten when murdered by the state. Breonna deserves more than this. Breonna’s family deserves closure. Breonna’s city deserves justice. We will not stop until justice is served for Breonna and other community members taken by the hands of law enforcement.

Scott Roberts, senior director of Criminal Justice Campaigns at Color Of Change: 

It’s now been nearly 150 days since Breonna Taylor was murdered and we’ve yet to see justice done. In the four months since her death, officials have aimlessly shuffled the case around while the three officers responsible continue to roam the streets without a shred of accountability. As the people of Louisville and protesters across the nation demand an end to racist police violence, officers Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove and former officer Brett Hankison must be arrested and charged for Breonna’s death.

Shaunna Thomas, executive director of UltraViolet: 

Breonna Taylor was murdered and the three Louisville Metropolitan Police Department officers who killed her as she slept remain uncharged. Two of them are still employees of the LMPD. Breonna was an essential member of the Louisville community, an essential worker, and her life mattered. We urge AG Cameron and Mayor Fisher to immediately fire the remaining two officers; we also urge them to arrest, charge and revoke Brett Hankison, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove’s pensions. We helped make this ad to stand in solidarity with Breonna’s family, friends and Black Lives Matter Louisville activists, who have been tirelessly demanding justice for her death. We will not stop until the LMPD are accountable for these horrific and racist acts.

At the close of the ad, the public is encouraged to sign the #JusticeForBre petition to demand action. Learn more about the campaign on the Fight for Breonna site here.

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