During the second day of demonstrations over the decision by a grand jury in Breonna Taylor’s case, protesters clashed with armed militia members in Louisville, USA Today reported Friday.
Protests erupted in Kentucky on Wednesday after a grand jury decided not to indict the three Louisville Metro Police officers on charges related to 26-year-old Taylor’s death in March.
Protesters — who had for months called for justice in Taylor’s killing — took to the streets again after the announcement Wednesday. Hundreds of protesters have been arrested, authorities said.
On Thursday night, tensions rose in the city as Black Lives Matter protesters clashed with roughly a dozen armed Trump supporters, USA Today reported.
“We’re not here to start nothing,” one man wearing military-style garb and carrying long guns told USA Today. The group reportedly claimed they were there to defend the constitution and protect businesses from looting. It’s the same excuse used by Kyle Rittenhouse, who was charged after fatally shooting two people and injuring a third during unrest in Kenosha last month.
Dozens of protesters were arrested Thursday after 10 p.m., an hour after Mayor Greg Fischer’s (D) curfew. It’s unclear if any counter-protesters were arrested.
Kentucky State Rep. Attica Scott (D), the lawmaker who proposed a bill that would ban no-knock warrants like the one officers used to enter Taylor’s home, was reportedly among those arrested.
