- Beyoncé is demanding justice for
Breonna Taylor , a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed by white cops in her own home. - Three male police officers forcibly entered Taylor's apartment at nighttime on March 13, under the guise of a drug bust — but had the wrong address, and reportedly failed to announce themselves as police officers.
- In an open letter posted to her website on Sunday, Beyoncé urges Kentucky's Attorney General Daniel Cameron to arrest the three men and "demonstrate the value of a Black woman's life."
- She also calls for "transparency in the investigation and prosecution," as well as an investigation of the
Louisville Metro Police Department's response to Taylor's murder. - "Don't let this case fall into the pattern of no action after a terrible tragedy," she writes. "Take swift and decisive action in charging the officers. The next months cannot look like the last three."
Beyoncé is using her massive platform to demand justice for Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed by white cops in her own home.
In an open letter posted to her website on Sunday, Beyoncé urges Kentucky's Attorney General Daniel Cameron to take action and "demonstrate the value of a Black woman's life."
"It has now been over three months since members of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) killed Breonna Taylor. Plainclothes officers with a 'no-knock' warrant forced their way into her apartment, where she was asleep and unarmed," the "Formation" songstress writes.
"Moments later, the officers fired over twenty shots into Breonna Taylor's home, striking her at least eight times," she continues.
"Three months have passed — and zero arrests have been made, and no officers have been fired."
The officers in question are Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove, who forcibly entered Taylor's apartment during a narcotics bust on March 13. Reports indicate the officers had the wrong address and didn't announce themselves before entering the apartment.
Their covert method of entry, known as a "no-knock" warrant, has since been banned in Louisville with the passing of "Breonna's Law." Similar federal legislation has since been introduced.
In her letter, Beyoncé describes these laws as "small steps in the right direction," but also notes they are "painful reminders that there has still been no justice for Breonna Taylor and her family."
The iconic singer calls on Kentucky's attorney general to arrest and "bring criminal charges" against the officers, a demand that has been echoed by other high-profile celebrities, like Ariana Grande and John Legend.
Beyoncé also calls for "transparency in the investigation and prosecution of these officers' criminal conduct" and an investigation of the Louisville Metro Police Department's response to Taylor's murder, "as well as the pervasive practices that result in the repeated deaths of unarmed Black citizens."
"Don't let this case fall into the pattern of no action after a terrible tragedy," she writes. "With every death of a Black person at the hands of the police, there are two real tragedies: the death itself, and the inaction and delays that follow it. This is your chance to end that pattern."
"Take swift and decisive action in charging the officers. The next months cannot look like the last three."
Beyoncé's website also features a link to a petition, which calls for similar actions of accountability and transparency.
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