Chicago Pols Call For Peaceful Protests In Name Of Breonna Taylor

CHICAGO — In a plea for calm, powerful politicians called on people angered by a Kentucky grand jury's decision to charge just one of three police officers involved in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor to protest peacefully.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot asked Chicagoans to gather outside their homes at 7 p.m. — the same time protestors are set to gather in Millennium Park —for a citywide moment of silence in Taylor's memory.

"Breonna Taylor's family has consistently called for peace and urged people who are acting in her name to do so in a way that builds not destroys community. ... Come out on your front porch, stand in your yard or on your sidewalk or where ever you are, but please do at 7 p.m. tonight take a moment of silence and reflection in her name," Lightfoot said. "Afterward, I encourage you to say her name."

Former Louisville police detective Brett Hankison on Wednesday was indicted on felony charges of "wonton endangerment" for shooting into neighboring apartments during the March 13 police raid in which Breonna Taylor was killed. Kentucky prosecutors declined to press criminal charges against Louisville police Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly and Detective Myles Cosgrove, who also were involved in executing a "no-knock" warrant that lead to the shooting death of Taylor.

Lightfoot was joined by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in a joint news conference decrying Kentucky prosecutor's decision.

RELATED: Governor Readies National Guard Ahead Of Breonna Taylor Protests

Preckwinkle called the charges part of a "deeply flawed" criminal justice system that has allowed police to kill Black and brown people win "impunity," while pleading with people to maintain civility when exercising their right to protest.

"While many of us are deeply disappointed, discouraged and confused by the decision today, we must stay focused. Now is not the time for violence. Protest if you’re moved to do so. Peaceful protest is powerful," Preckwinkle said. "However, we cannot meet the violence of police with violence of our own. It gives ammunition to those who do not share our vision of racial justice.”

Chicago officials have activated its neighborhood protection plan, a deployment of police and city resources aimed at protecting the Loop and neighborhood business districts, many that were vandalized and looted in the wake of George Floyd's death under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer in May, and again last month.

"No matter where we are in processing today's news, we need to do so peacefully," Lightfoot said. "We don't need to be a commercial for people who want to mischaracterize who we are as a city and as a people."

On Tuesday, Gov. Pritzker put the Illinois National Guard in a "state of readiness" in the event protests devolved into chaos.

"We have seen that there are people who have wanted to take advantage of these moments," he said. "Not the peaceful protestors. It's people who see that there's peaceful protest, and they will hide — perhaps even among peaceful protestors — or think that police are distracted and take advantage of that moment."

Patch reporter Jonah Meadows contributed.