GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- In early December, a small group gathered for the installation of Breonna Taylor Way street signs at Monroe Center and Pearl Street.
The event was tempered by both winter weather and COVID-19 restrictions.
Saturday, a much larger crowd gathered just a short distance away under sunny skies to celebrate the honorary street designation in earnest.
Breonna Taylor was a Black emergency medical technician and Grand Rapids native who was shot by Louisville Metro Police on March 13, 2020 as they served a warrant on her residence. She moved to Louisville with her family more than a decade ago but has relatives that remain in Grand Rapids.
Taylor has become a symbol in a nationwide movement against police brutality and racial injustice.
Saturday’s celebration featured music, games for kids and Black vendors of various merchandise.
Kenneth Cortez, who performed and also helped line up entertainment for the event, said the street designation was long in coming.
“Justice for Black Lives, they fought long and hard all year last year to get this street, Monroe Center, renamed in honor of Breonna Taylor,” he said.
“We’re out here now in May because it’s close to her birthday and we just wanted to push that agenda -- Breonna Taylor still deserves justice,” he said.
The only person charged in connection to Taylor’s death is former Louisville Police Officer Brett Hankison, who faces three counts of wanton endangerment. Those charges involve allegations that his shots put people in danger in a neighboring apartment and have no direct correlation to Taylor.
Trav Watson brought his two young daughters to Saturday’s event.
He said he’s made sure they know who Taylor was and the reasons behind nationwide protests in her name.
“Unfortunately, they have to learn the reasons why,” he said.
Related:
‘Don’t forget Breonna Taylor,’ family urges community at Grand Rapids march
Grand Rapids native Breonna Taylor, victim of police shooting, honored at vigil
‘It’s negligence,’ Breonna Taylor’s cousin speaks in Grand Rapids after ruling
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Celebration of Breonna Taylor Way street designation brings crowd to downtown Grand Rapids - MLive.com
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