A historical marker memorializing the death of Breonna Taylor and the racial justice protests that followed was unveiled Wednesday in Jefferson Square Park, which became the epicenter of Louisville’s racial justice movement in the summer of 2020.The marker, labeled “2020 Racial Justice Protests,” says:Built in 1978, Jefferson Square Park memorializes first responders killed in the line of duty. In 2020, it became a rallying place for those demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a Black woman tragically killed by Louisville Metro Police serving a search warrant. Protesters called this space “Injustice Square Park” and held demonstrations that drew global attention.Over 2,000 U.S. cities saw racial justice protests fueled by the police killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and others. Locally, these demonstrations prompted police reform and policy changes to improve racial equity in the city. Many here also mourned Louisvillians David McAtee and photographer Tyler Gerth, killed in incidents related to the protests.Mayor Greg Fischer was joined by family and friends of Taylor, David McAtee, and Tyler Gerth for the unveiling. The ceremony was kept private at the request of the families. The Mayor’s office shared a few of his remarks made prior to the unveiling. “The marker will in no way diminish the tremendous pain that they suffer still, but we believed it was critical that we acknowledge the history behind the tragedies of 2020, the resulting demonstrations, and reason for the important reforms and policy changes that resulted and are still underway,” Fischer said.Taylor’s mother Tamika Palmer also made brief remarks during the unveiling.”I am grateful to stand here today and be a part of history. Thank you to Mayor Fischer for dedicating a historical marker ensuring our babies do not get swept away in history. There is so much work to be done, but actions like the one taken today help further that work,” Palmer said. Local activist Tim Findley has been heavily involved in the racial justice movement. He says it was important to mark this moment in the city’s history. “I think it’s fitting to have something in place that talks about just how important that is and how important that moment was and how that moment has become a movement and spanned so many different lives,” Findley said. Shameka Parrish-Wright was a key fixture at Jefferson Square Park during the protests and was involved in early discussions about placing the historical marker. “I think that there is not a marker or a placard big enough to really house all of the words the thoughts the feelings during the justice for Breonna Taylor movement,” Parrish-Wright said.Parrish-Wright says some protestors feel the marker doesn’t go far enough but called it a good first step. “I am remised that Travis Nagdy, Kris Smith, Chris Wells, and some others weren’t mentioned but I do think it was fitting to mention David McAtee as well as Tyler Gerth because those subsequent deaths of the Breonna Taylor movement could have been avoided. They did not have to happen,” Parrish-Wright said.The protests helped spark police reforms including Breonna’s Law which bans no-knock warrants. It also sparked a complete top to bottom review of the Louisville Metro Police Department which outlined 102 recommendations to improve the department, many of which have since been implemented. “That is just a reminder that if we come together and we really operate in a way that shines a light on injustice that things can change and things can get better,” Findley said.”It was unfortunate that it took Breonna Taylor’s life to bring us together like that but I think going forward we cannot stand back we have to stand up any time there is injustice,” Parrish-Wright added.While some think the marker is a step in the right direction, the Fraternal Order of Police feel differently about it.They released a statement saying:”It is not lost on the members of the FOP that his administration chose to memorialize on the marker that rioters and protestors called the park ‘Injustice Square Park,’ only feet from the solemn area that holds the monument honoring police officers killed in the line of duty while serving and protecting this community.”The placing of this marker in that spot by the Fischer administration shows a complete lack of reverence for our fallen officers and their families. Gestures such as this are part of the reason so many officers feel disenfranchised by this administration and contribute to the extreme shortage of officer on the LMPD.”They concluded the statement saying this new marker will likely reignite conversation about moving the monument honoring fallen officers to a new location that “truly values law enforcement officers and would show the proper respect” to those that made the ultimate sacrifice.