Jacob Blake’s father speaks with Breonna Taylor’s family: ‘We didn’t choose this fraternity’

Jacob Blake Sr., whose son was shot seven times by police in Kenosha, Wis., this summer, expressed solidarity with the family of Breonna Taylor and other Black Americans who have fallen victim to police brutality and systemic racism in law enforcement. 

“We didn’t choose this fraternity. This fraternity chose us,” Blake said during a news conference in Louisville, Ky., on Friday, the family’s first since a grand jury declined to file charges over Taylor’s death earlier this week. “So if we lay down and let them run over us, then who would we be?” 

Taylor was shot and killed during a police raid on her apartment in March. Earlier this week, Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron (R) announced that none of the officers involved in the raid would face charges in connection with her death. 

One of the officers, Brett Hankison, who was fired in June, was charged with three counts of wanton endangerment for firing bullets into a nearby apartment, hitting no one. 

The announcement sparked massive protests in Louisville and other cities across the country.

The younger Jacob Blake remains paralyzed following a shooting in late August as officers in Kenosha attempted to bring him into custody. Blake’s shooting sparked similar demonstrations and calls from activists to do more to curb systemic racism in policing. 

“We’re tired of it, enough is enough,” said Blake Sr., who drove eight hours to attend the press conference. He added he “knows what this sister goes through,” speaking about Taylor’s mother and family. 

‘You cannot stop the revolution!’ — Jacob Blake’s father drove 8 hours to join Breonna Taylor’s family pic.twitter.com/jlz4ff9lmr

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) September 25, 2020

“You don’t understand, when it’s your child you can’t fathom the emotions that you go through every night,” he said. “You hear them talking to you … they’re not there. You hear them talking to you. I knew this family needed some energy and I said I’m coming, because we are not gonna lie down anymore. You cannot stop the revolution.”