WARNING: Live video, graphic language possible.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Protesters on Thursday blocked Poplar Avenue near the Criminal Justice Center at 201 Poplar in downtown Memphis.
Activists were chanting “Black Lives Matter” and holding signs remembering the life of Breonna Taylor. The action in Memphis comes after news that two of three police officers involved in a shooting death of Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky were not indicted in her death.
Activists talked about poverty and policing in the community before stopping traffic on Poplar Avenue for nearly two hours.
Protesters banged on the doors of 201 Poplar while police waited inside. The crowd broke up around 2 p.m.
Shortly after the protest ended, Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings gave a live address on Facebook expressing his sympathy for the family of Breonna Taylor and calling her death a senseless loss of life.
“We have shown the world that we can peacefully protest, and I ask you to demonstrate to the world that we can protest peacefully and safely,” Rallings said.
