FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kristia Winter, Communications Director
KWinter@council.nyc.gov, 718-629-2900

BROOKLYN, NY Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn), Co-Chair of New York City Council Women’s Caucus, released the following statement after the city of Louisville, Kentucky announced a $12 million settlement with the family of Breonna Taylor. The 26-year-old Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) worker was fatally shot in her home on March 13 by police officers who have not been charged for her wrongful death six months later

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“No dollar amount could ever alleviate Tamika Palmer of the heartache that she has endured since the death of her daughter by Louisville police six months ago. Until every officer involved in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor is terminated and indicted, the city of Louisville remains culpable and continues to endanger Black lives. The $12 million settlement will not absolve the Louisville officers of any wrongdoing, or quantify justice for Breonna. This settlement and police reforms are restitution, not a substitution for the long-awaited criminal charges against the officers. I stand in solidarity with the family of Breonna Taylor, advocates, activists, and her surrounding community in calling for the immediate arrest and indictment of Sergeant Jonathan Mattingly; detectives Brett Hankison, Myles Cosgrove, and Joshua Jaynes. Breonna is one of the countless unarmed Black women killed by police who have inflicted irreparable harm to our community with impunity. We will continue to persist until these men are sentenced for their actions and it becomes abundantly clear that Black lives matter.”

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which is comprised of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino/a, and Asian Caucus.