LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After a tense discussion ended in a vote Thursday, Metro Council turned out 15 to 10 in favor of two protesters serving on Lousiville's new Civilian Review and Accountability Board. There was an opposition from some members, centered on some controversial posts to social media from both Rev. Stachelle Bussey and Antonio Taylor.
What You Need To Know
- Two protesters will be among Louisville citizens to serve on the Civilian Review Board for police accountability
- There was opposition to their serving, based on some things the two had posted to social media
- Metro Council voted 15-10 to vote forward Stachelle Bussey and Antonio Taylor
- The two have said they're capable of setting any feelings of bias aside
Bussey took to Facebook in celebration of the final vote Thursday night.
I’m honored to sit next to Antonio. Let’s work bro.
Posted by Stachelle Bussey on Thursday, March 25, 2021
LIBERATION.LOVE.LOUISVILLE!!!!!!!!
Posted by Stachelle Bussey on Thursday, March 25, 2021
In a past post spanning several paragraphs, Bussey wrote on Facebook: "I hate the police." When questioned on that statement during a March 16 committee meeting that lasted hours, Bussey said it's important to put the assertion into context.
"I could really rest on the four words, right," she said in response to a question from Councilman Anthony Piagentini (R-District 19). "But there's an experience, councilman, that we can't deny. And so what I want is healthy, constitutional policing."
"I understand what you're saying," she replied to his concern over her ability to separate her feelings and be objective while working on the board that's meant to hold police accountable. "The overall context of that is about community accountability."
A post on Bussey's Facebook profile now reads in part, "I understand the hate around police."
Thursday night, Piagentini again voiced his opposition to Bussey serving on the board.
"When this ordinance was passed, it purposely excluded many members of the public. Specifically, it excluded family members of any law enforcement personnel. Arguably, tens of thousands of members of our community were excluded because of potential bias in favor of LMPD," he argued.
"The civilian review and accountability board ordinance also calls for an objective and independent board," he continued. "We have every reason to be concerned over the objectivity of the two appointments being voted on this evening."
The other appointment in question was of Antonio Taylor. A post of his reads, "LMPD you are evil the devil."
But with the vote in favor of each, they will go on to serve on the board. The two have said they're capable of setting any feelings of bias aside.