National Urban League Officials Denounce DOJ’s Sentencing Proposal for Breonna Taylor’s Killer

(Photos: Wikimedia Commons)- National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, alongside Louisville Urban League President and CEO Lyndon Pryor, voiced strong condemnation toward a shocking recommendation from the Department of Justice that former officer Brett Hankison, found guilty of breaching Breonna Taylor’s rights, should face only one day in prison. Morial stated, “This isn’t merely a sentencing suggestion; it signifies the Civil Rights Division's failure to shield [Black] Americans from law enforcement transgressions. It represents a disregard for Breonna Taylor's legacy and the Constitution.” Pryor emphasized the disrespect inherent in minimizing consequences for such severe misconduct, calling it “dangerous.” He also highlighted problems within American policing that contribute to widespread harm and inequities faced by Black and marginalized communities. The leaders remarked that this recommendation undermines vital reforms proposed for the Louisville Police Department, including the abandonment of a crucial consent decree designed to tackle systemic discrimination. Their remarks came during the National Urban League Conference in Cleveland, coinciding with the unveiling of the 2025 State of Black America® report.