Louisville Mayor Declares Racism A Public Health Crisis
In the wake of the police killing of Breonna Taylor, Louisville has declared racism a public health crisis.
Mayor Greg Fischer made the declaration on Tuesday by signing an executive order titled “Advancing Racial Equity for Black Louisville,” which calls for a focus on “the societal, physical and mental health impacts” on the Black community. As the New York Post notes, the city plans to increase diversity in the ranks of the Louisville Metro Police Department, implement a focus on community policing, and the creation of an independent civilian review board.
This move comes just more than eight months after Taylor was shot dead in her home during a botched police raid. “Breonna’s tragic death has made our city a focal point for America’s reckoning of racial justice,” Fischer said. “The last few months have been painful for us as a community and for many of us personally. The status quo is not working nor is it acceptable.” He added, “As mayor and just as an American and a human being, racism sickens me.” Following Taylor’s death which led to protests in Louisville and around the country, Fischer said “it’s clear that we need to move faster and invest more resources. We need to do everything we can to repair distrust through action.”
“These reforms will require a strong commitment and a lot of work,” Fischer said. “But I believe it can be done — in part because when I look around Lousiville and talk to people from every neighborhood and background, I sense a greater and broader understanding and desire to address racial equity than ever before.”
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