LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A group of about 20 protesters rallied outside Churchill Downs leading up to the Kentucky Derby before taking their message to various parts of Louisville.

Their main objective: letting people know that Black lives are valuable, especially Breonna Taylor.

"[We want] to let them know that Breonna Taylor has still not received justice,” organizer Rochelle Mitchell said. “No cops have been arrested in the murder of Breonna Taylor and that’s what we really want we want justice for Breonna Taylor.”

After Derby, protesters marched down Bardstown Road because that is where people go out to celebrate after the big event. One organizer told Spectrum News that while they celebrate Derby the organizers are trying to save Black lives.

Another group organized at a park in the Highlands neighborhood, which was more of a family-friendly event where kids wrote messages in chalk. Amber Brown organized it.

“This is just a space for kids to be able to protest and be a part of this movement without the constant boundaries and boxes and restraints that they are put in for safety reasons in other spaces but this space is child-centered,” Brown said.

Beyond the protests as thousands filed into Churchill Downs, a sense of normalcy seemed to return: kids were out selling snacks, soda and other hygiene products; musicians were playing their instruments on the sidewalks, and neighbors sold spots on their lawn for parking.

Steve Cook lives off Taylor Boulevard, just outside Churchill Downs, selling spots for $25-30 per car.

“We’re out here parking, grilling out some food, just trying to enjoy this beautiful day,” Cook said.

Cook said with 50% capacity at this year’s Derby, he’s not expecting as much money, but he’s not mad about it.

“This is a blessing to even have half the crowd,” Cook said. “You’ve gotta start somewhere. If this is a baby step to getting it back to normal next year or even two years down the road, take a baby step and get there.”

Eileen Street contributed the video portion of this story.