What do Lexington leaders think about protesters’ demands?

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — Across the country we’re seeing a movement to de-fund and restructure police departments.

Could that be something we see in Lexington?

“You have seen peaceful, nonviolent direct action up to this point. There’s just been us shutting down streets, but we will be escalating as that day gets closer,” says protest organizer April Taylor.

On a 12th day of protests, April Taylor is getting increasingly frustrated as “that day” approaches, June 29th. It’s the day the police union’s bargaining agreement with the city expires.

Protesters say that kind of contract blocks what they want – accountability.

Their newest demand is to defund and disband the police department.

“Our lives are at risk here and we intend to fight for our lives,” says Taylor.

We spoke with Councilwoman Angela Evans about defunding police, a decision Minneapolis’ City Council made just this weekend. She calls it bad governing.

“We need people whose job is to protect the city and us. I don’t think it is good government to say we’re going to create a policy or amend a policy, with no idea of how that’s going to look,” says Councilwoman Evans.

Evans also doesn’t agree with protesters’ demand the city stop paying for an officer’s legal representation if accused of misconduct.

She uses the analogy of car insurance and how it’s the company’s job to insure you, but what they insure is up to their discretion especially when you’re at fault.

“Our employer has a duty to some degree to you, you’re their agent, so they’re responsible to represent you,” says Evans.

Protesters have several other demands like renaming Cheapside Park, a former slave auction block in downtown Lexington.

“A name that used to be referred to as a place where slaves were sold just doesn’t need to exist any longer,” says Taylor.

Evans doesn’t argue with that demand.

She also agrees that we should look into and contemplate, to see how our police department can be better.

Evans says she is appreciative to everyone in this – those willing to hear it, participate, and those willing to learn. Evans says it takes everyone to make sure we progress and don’t revert back.

Another demand is ending no-knock warrants in Lexington which is the type of warrant used the night Breonna Taylor was killed in Louisville.

Lexington Police recently added to its no-knock search warrant policy. It states the chief or assistant will have to approve the warrant first, before the request goes to a judge.

In regards to negotiations on the police union contract, Evans says council doesn’t get to be part of those negotiations.

“I know there are a lot of concerns with what’s in collective bargaining but a lot of that is by statute. A lot of it is reflective of the Police Bill of Rights, which is statute,” says Evans.

The mayor says those negotiations are private and can’t be discussed in public. It’s Kentucky law.

“If folks have concerns about issues they want to be discussed they can either tell union representatives or administration representatives,” says Mayor Linda Gorton.

Gorton says though the contract is up at the end of the month, it remains in effect until a new contract is drawn up – a process that could take months.

She also says she’s forming a commission to stand up for racial equality in Lexington and it’s almost ready to get to work.

Police Chief Lawrence Weathers, too, has said he wants to hear from the community.

But protesters say they’re tired of talk and ready for action.

For a full list of protesters’ demands, click here.