Small crowd joins Vancouver march demanding justice for Breonna Taylor

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Nova Stevens organized a march demanding justice for Breonna Taylor in Vancouver Sunday, saying she would be satisfied even if only a handful of people joined her.

For Stevens, taking to the streets to protest the decision not to charge any Louisville police officers in connection with Taylor’s death is a matter of principal.

“Just because you yourself are not experiencing injustice in your backyard or in your inner circle, does not mean you shouldn’t feel the pain of those that are feeling it,” she said.

“Because I’m a Black woman, it’s easy for me to identify with Breonna Taylor because I could easily be her. I’m not immune to the very thing that happened to her. What’s really angering to all of us is the fact that they were charged for missing shots. Essentially walls received more justice than a human being. It’s just really upsetting that our lives are still not valued. Black people’s lives are still not valued.”

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Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician was shot and killed by police in March when they burst into her house in the middle of the night in a botched raid. Police entered on a warrant connected to a suspect who did not live there, and no drugs were found inside.

Taylor was shot multiple times by white officers. Authorities say the police opened fire after Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired at them. Walker said he didn’t know who was coming in and was acting in self-defense.

On Wednesday, Kentucky Attorney General Cameron announced a grand jury indicted one officer on wanton endangerment charges, saying he fired gunshots into a neighbouring home that didn’t strike anyone.

But the charges were for endangering Taylor’s neighbours. No one was charged in connection with Taylor’s death.

The grand jury decision sparked protests in cities across the U.S.

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Recent rallies and marches to protest anti-black racism and police brutality in Vancouver have drawn much smaller crowds than those organized in the immediate aftermath of the killing of George Floyd.

Stevens said the situation is no less urgent now than it was then.

“In the beginning, a lot of people were on board because it was a trend to them. But now they just think it’s okay to continue business as usual. But nothing has changed, justice is still not served.”

Still, for Stevens the fact that no one will be held accountable for her Taylor’s killing compelled her to act.

“People need to know that when you’re fighting for something you believe in, it’s okay if you’re standing alone. ”

“Although this march is super last-minute, I’m happy if one or two people show up. I don’t expect a big outcome. I’m just happy if people that care show up. That’s all that matters.”

About thirty people joined Stevens and marched through downtown.

With files from The Associated Press and Lisa Steacy