Protesters return to downtown Lexington for second night to call for end to police violence

Protesters returned to downtown Lexington on Saturday night, speaking out against police violence as similar demonstrations took place in cities around the country.

It was the second night of protests in Lexington, with a third “socially distant, non-violent protest” planned for Sunday night at 8 p.m. at the courthouse. The crowd on Saturday marched along downtown streets, stopping at one point to lay on the ground at the intersection of West Main and Broadway while chanting “No Justice, No Peace!” and “I can’t breathe!”

The crowd also stopped to pray, with protesters asking for protection as they continue to seek change.

Tavia Chester of Lexington led a chant, “I am not a thug.” Chester said she is a teacher and “I am an educated black woman, and that’s America’s worst nightmare.” She said she’s protesting because “I want the voices of people who are not being heard to be heard.”

At times later in the evening, the growing crowd surrounded police cars and officers. The officers did not respond as the crowd chanted “Hands up, don’t shoot,” and, later, “Hey, ho, these racist cops have got to go.”

Some protesters walked on top of a Lexington police cruiser on Main Street near the courthouse.

One protester with a megaphone urged the crowd: “Don’t give ‘em a reason. Maintain a respectful distance.”

Around midnight, some protesters turned over trash cans in the Fifth Third Pavilion near the historic courthouse. Chester, through a megaphone yelled, “Uh uh! Pick that up! No!” Other protesters picked up the cans.

Alisha Kattara said the police response had allowed the protest to remain peaceful. “If you talk to them, they’re nice. They answer you back. None of them are coming up to us to make us stop. In a way it kind of shows support for us cause they’re not doing what they could do.”

The protests come amid a nationwide outcry over the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, who both died at the hands of police. Both Floyd and Taylor were black and unarmed.

Hundreds in Louisville and in Lexington gathered and chanted about violence by police Friday night. Louisville saw its third night of protests on Saturday night -- after Gov. Andy Beshear had deployed the National Guard in that city, and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew for Saturday and Sunday nights.

Breonna Taylor died after being shot eight times by police who were serving a no-knock warrant at her home in connection with a drug investigation. The officers involved were not wearing uniforms and burst into Taylor’s apartment in the middle of the night, according court records.

Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot at the officers as they entered, striking one of them in the leg, according to court records. Walker was at first charged with first-degree assault and attempted murder, but those charges were later dropped.

There were no drugs found in Taylor’s apartment, according to court records.

Taylor’s family has called for reform, and they have urged an end to the violence taking place during the Louisville protests.

Gov. Andy Beshear on Saturday said that “we cannot let Breonna’s legacy be marred by violence, and we can’t let our streets turn violent.”

Protest organizers in Lexington called for greater police accountability in Lexington.

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton issued a statement Saturday, saying she joined with the protesters in spirit, and she expressed a commitment to combating injustice.

“Lexington is a wonderful city full of caring people, but we’re not perfect,” she said. “We’ve made progress, but there’s more to do. The work ahead of us starts with listening … listening to the voices of all of our citizens to ensure all feel welcome here. Listening, then working together every day, not just Martin Luther King Day, to heal and bring unity, progress and peace.”

This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 10:36 PM.