Grammy-winning singer Rihanna, 50 Cent and T.I. are demanding justice for Breonna Taylor. The music trio went online this week to continue to push for the arrest of the police officers responsible for taking the Black woman’s life after an illegal home search.
Justice x Breonna
While RiRi took a straight forward approach for demanding justice for Breonna, T.I. and 50 shared a more creative way to get their points across. They both used meme-type strategies to explain the need for Breonna’s killers placed behind bars.
“yerrrrr @danieljaycameron , where we at with this my brother?!” -Rihanna’s Instagram
“Link in bio face a**… #JusticeForBreonna” -T.I.’s Instagram
“blacklivesmatter #breonnataylorwasmurdered #bransoncognac” -50 Cent’s Twitter
High-Key Details
A former police officer has appealed his firing over the death of the 26-year-old emergency medical worker. Ex-cop Brett Hankison claimed his superiors felt pressured by the public to get rid of him before a full investigation went down into his connection to Taylor’s death.
In the appeal, Hankison’s lawyers argue that officials bowed to public pressure and fired him before the FBI, Kentucky Attorney General’s Office and the Kentucky State Police had completed their investigations. “Brett Hankison should not be punished unless the facts show he committed wrongdoing, and the facts are not yet in,” the appeal said. “This Merit Board, created to see that the hiring and firing of police officers is based on merit and just cause, and to protect against political considerations in such decisions, should not countenance what has happened.” (CBS News)
Wait, There’s More
The termination came more than three months after Breonna had her life taken from her. Hankison is one of multiple cops connected to her slaying.
A termination letter sent to Officer Brett Hankison released by the city’s police department Tuesday said Hankinson violated procedures by showing “extreme indifference to the value of human life” when he “wantonly and blindly” shot 10 rounds of gunfire into Taylor’s apartment in March. The letter also said Hankison, who is white, violated the rule against using deadly force. (Tennessean)
Before You Go
In early June 2020, West Coast rapper Game shared a pic of himself with Taylor from one of their past run-ins. The Los Angeles native poured out his emotions on her tragic murder on what would have been her 27th birthday.
“Today you would be 27 years old. Today you would be celebrating your beautiful life. Instead today we are in still in deep mourning because your life was taken from you prematurely at the hands of the Louisville Metro Police Department & 3 of its incompetent officers who entered your home with malicious intent serving a “no knock warrant” when the people the police were looking for were already in custody. Officers opened fire & shot you 8 times, killing you in cold blood because your car was suspected to be parked outside of a home they were investigating. A beautiful soul, taken from her family & friends due to negligent police work & a killer squad of officers in Louisville who simply had the wrong house. This is a picture of me & you to remind people of just how big your smile was & though our interaction was brief, I can attest to the amazing energy you exuded & how genuinely happy you were to meet me this night. “Jayceon, you said to get my attention”…. as that always does”. I turned around & you asked for a picture & after you said “Thank you so much, we have the same last name & tell little Cali I said hi”. I appreciate you & I am the one thankful for the picture with such a beautiful soul. Your life was taken but your name will never be forgotten…… “BREONNA TAYLOR” #SayHerName #BlackLivesMatter #HappyBirthdayBeautiful ?” – Game’s Instagram