The city of Louisville is bracing for a night of civil unrest as hundreds if not thousands of protesters have already taken to the streets in response to the grand jury's decision not to issue charges for two of the three officers involved in the March raid that led to Breonna Taylor's death. The third officer was charged for his actions in firing shots into the neighboring apartments, but not for anything related to Taylor's death.
Shortly after the decision was announced, a scene unfolded that displayed the extent to which Louisville remains on edge about the contentious case.
A man just nearly pulled his gun in reaction. Crowd had to stop him. Louisville is on edge https://t.co/R0WxTQQ8EO— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1600882757.0
Twitter users in Louisville recorded the start of protests, which featured both large numbers of BLM protesters as well as heavily armed and unidentified individuals that some called a "militia."
As the BLM crowd chanted, “If we didn’t get it, burn it down!” they have marched outside the barricaded zone in Lou… https://t.co/5molL4GDKT— Julio Rosas (@Julio Rosas) 1600883969.0
A militia group marches up 7th St. in downtown Louisville. They wouldn’t identify their group, but I know I’ve seen… https://t.co/1IKRCHUjlt— Chad K. Mills (@Chad K. Mills) 1600884807.0
Louisville citizens were also shown coming out of their houses with their children to watch the early stages of the protest as the protesters marched by.
Some families are bringing their kids outside in front of their houses to watch the protesters as they march throug… https://t.co/W4ukYQaX9r— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1600887958.0
The size of the crowd has continued to grow as the afternoon has progressed, although there have not yet been any reports of violence associated with the protests.
“We didn’t get it, burn it down!” The crowd continues to grow out here in Louisville this afternoon #Louisville… https://t.co/cn0LyLjqOM— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1600884687.0
In an effort to curtail any potential violence or destruction, the city of Louisville is currently under a 72-hour curfew, beginning Wednesday night, from 9 p.m. through 6:30 a.m.