LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A coalition of Louisville activists and community leaders is demanding Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, finalize and sign a consent decree levied by the Department of Justice.

Members of the People’s Consent Decree Coalition gathered Monday in downtown Louisville, across from Greenberg's office and urged the mayor to sign a binding agreement with the Department of Justice.

In 2023, the DOJ released a report citing patterns of abuse by the Louisville Metro Police Department and Metro Government against residents. This report stems from an investigation by the DOJ following the killing of Breonna Taylor and the months of protesting that followed.

“This legally binding decree is based on a scathing DOJ report on LMPD released in 2023," said K.A. Owens of the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Police Repression. "It is a result of the people of Louisville, Kentucky, and around the world rising up and demanding change following the police killing of Breonna Taylor." 

Louisville Urban League President Lyndon Pryor is one of several community activists demanding more transparency as consent decree negotiations continue between Mayor Craig Greenberg, D-Louisville, and the Department of Justice. (Spectrum News 1/Jonathon Gregg)

Voices applying pressure Monday included that of Louisville Urban League President Lyndon Pryor.

“A consent decree is not only warranted," Pryor said. "This is something that LMPD and the Louisville Metro Government have earned.”

Also present was leader of VOCAL-KY and Louisville Metro Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright, District 3.

“There still has been no accounting of what LMPD has done besides this federal consent decree,” Parrish-Wright said.

Following the critical report, the DOJ sent a draft consent decree to Greenberg, which may include specific police reforms and goals. The draft has remained confidential.

“It’s extremely upsetting because we keep showing up," said community activist and former State Rep. Attica Scott. "We keep acting in good faith, but we are not seeing that from the mayor. We’re not seeing that from the police department. And quite honestly, we’re not seeing that from the Department of Justice because they should be demanding from the mayor and the Louisville Metro Police Department."

A representative from Greenberg's office stated, "Consent decree negotiations with the DOJ are continuing this week, but we are not waiting to take action and create change at LMPD. From new body camera policies to deflection expansion and prioritizing officer wellness programs, we have been introducing new police reforms since the start of this administration in 2023." 

The mayor’s office added the city is on pace to break the annual record for most LMPD documents and body camera videos released to the media through open records requests.

Coalition members voiced they are adamant about the city signing a decree now before a new federal administration led by President-elect Donald Trump takes office in Jan. 2025. They said they're skeptical of the next administration’s attention to the current DOJ findings as it relates to Louisville civil rights violations.