2020 – Breonna Taylor’s Name Becomes Rallying Cry

By June 6, 2020, Breonna Taylor’s name had become a rallying cry during worldwide protests following the murder of George Floyd. Demonstrations were held in over 2,000 cities, including major rallies on this day demanding justice for Black victims of police violence. Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT, was shot and killed by Louisville police in a botched no-knock raid on March 13. Although her killing initially received little national attention, by early June, it became central to the global reckoning on systemic racism and police accountability. Activists used the moment to demand police reform, legislative change, and a broader reckoning with anti-Black state violence. June 6 marked a peak in organizing efforts, with Breonna’s name seen on signs, murals, and heard in chants around the world, symbolizing the global fight for Black lives.