Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed "Breonna's Law" in to action. The newly passed legislature will ban no-knock warrants across the state.
“Virginia becomes the first state to take this action since Breonna’s death in March,” Northam said.
“This is the right thing to do.”
The law pays homage to the late emergency technician Breonna Taylor who was killed by Louisville Metro Police Department Officers who entered her apartment in connection to a no-knock search warrant. In honor of Taylor, Northam was joined by Taylor’s aunts, Bianca Austin and Tahasha Holloway, and civil rights attorney Ben Crump.
Under this new law, officers must be recognizable and in uniform. Officers must also give "audible notice" before entering and inform residents of the purpose of their arrival.
“In the dark of the night, without even a moment’s notice, we lost Breonna Taylor. There are no words or actions that will bring her back but today as we await true justice it is my hope that this bill will offer even a glimmer of hope for Breonna Taylor,” Virginia Del. Lashrecse Aird.
"Breonna's Law" is one of a few changes made to police conduct across the state. Virginia has also banned a few variations of police chokeholds along with giving the attorney general the power to investigate pattens of police misconduct.
“From the earliest days, Virginia shaped the United States’ highest aspirations of freedom and democracy,” the Virginia governor said.
“And from our earliest days, our laws also shaped an economy based on enslaving men, women and children. Four hundred one years later in Virginia we continue to struggle with the burden of our complicated past.”
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