REALITY TV
TV
MOVIES
MUSIC
CELEBRITY
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Accuracy & Fairness Corrections & Clarifications Ethics Code Your Ad Choices
© MEAWW All rights reserved
MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

#SayHerName: Jennifer Lawrence slams AG for Breonna Taylor death, says 'mustn't allow erasure of black women'

26-year-old Taylor was shot at least eight times on March 13 when officers barged into her apartment in Louisville while she was sleeping
PUBLISHED JUN 19, 2020
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Jennifer Lawrence has spoken up against racism and police brutality as she demanded justice for Breonna Taylor who was killed in a botched raid. The 26-year-old emergency medical technician was shot at least eight times on March 13 when officers barged into her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky, while she was sleeping.

“For three months since her murder, Breonna Taylor’s family, the people of Louisville, Americans across the country, and many around the world have called out for justice. And yet, those calls have gone unanswered,” Lawrence said in a statement shared on Twitter on Wednesday, June 17. “No arrests have been made, the officers responsible for her death remain employed by the LMPD, and disturbingly, the LMPD’s own investigation report was woefully inaccurate. As a Louisvillian, as a human being, I cannot be silent,” she stated.

The 29-year-old Oscar-winning actress continued: “I join all those who are speaking out against this grave injustice, calling upon Attorney General Daniel Cameron to take immediate action to hold those responsible for her death accountable.” Calling on Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron to bring charges against the officers responsible for Taylor’s tragic death, Lawrence said the longer Cameron waits “to bring criminal charges against officers Jonathan Mattingly, Myles Cosgrove, and Brett Hankison, the more trust erodes.”

“We must not allow the erasure of Black women to continue in America. As many activists and leaders have been imploring for years: #SayHerName,” she added.

(Getty Images)

Lawrence created her first verified Twitter account in June after feeling an urge to speak against injustice happening in the country in the recent past. In 2018, in an interview with InStyle, the ‘The Hunger Games’ star admitted that when it comes to social media, she prefers to “watch” rather than “speak”. “There is always so much backlash. So many people are listening and paying attention, and they have so many opinions about absolutely everything. I really don’t want to welcome that unless it’s absolutely necessary. I don’t want to put myself out there for no reason. Unless I’m promoting something or something really burns my onions, you won’t hear from me,” she said at the time.

The statement from Lawrence comes a few days after Beyonce raised her voice over the death of Taylor. She wrote an open letter to Cameron, saying: “Three months have passed — and the LMPD’s investigations have created more questions than answers. Their incident report states that Ms. Taylor suffered no injuries —yet we know she was shot at least eight times. The LMPD officers claim they announced themselves before forcing their way into Ms. Taylor’s apartment — but her boyfriend who was with her, as well as several neighbors, all say that this is untrue.”

Queen B added: “Your office has both the power and the responsibility to bring justice to Breonna Taylor and demonstrate the value of a Black woman’s life. Don’t let this case fall into the pattern of no action after a terrible tragedy. 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.”

POPULAR ON MEAWW
MORE ON MEAWW