Porsha Williams has been arrested at a protest for Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, on Tuesday. 360aproko has learned that the Real Housewives of Atlanta star was arrested while protesting the killing of the 26-year-old EMT, who was fatally shot by police in her apartment earlier this year. Williams and many others had gathered outside the home of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron.
Additionally, a rep for the Louisville Metro Police Department confirms to 360aproko that Williams was one of the 87 protestors arrested.
“Today around 4:30 p.m., the LMPD followed a large group of protesters from Ballard High School into the 7000 block of Bedford Lane. We reached out to the Greymoore Devondale police chief to make him aware and were asked if we would assist due to the resources required for such a large group,” the LMPD rep says in a statement given to 360aproko. “The protestors chose to occupy the front yard of a home owned by the Kentucky Attorney General and continuously chant towards he and his neighbors. At his request, they were trespassed from the property.”
“All were given the opportunity to leave, were told that remaining on the property would be unlawful, and chose not to leave. In total, 87 people were arrested,” the statement continues. “Due to their refusal to leave the property and their attempts to influence the decision of the Attorney General with their actions, each person was charged with Intimidating a Participant in a Legal Process (Class D felony), Disorderly Conduct 2nd Degree (Class B misdemeanor), and Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree. (Violation).”
The reality star’s fiancé, Dennis McKinley, also shared in an Instagram post that Williams, along with Women’s March co-organizer Tamika D. Mallory, rapper Trae tha Truth, Love & Hip Hop co-creator and star Yandy Smith, and more were taken in by policemen.
Sharing video of Williams’ arrest, her sister, Lauren Williams, wrote, “She has always been fearless. You mess with her people, you mess with her.”
“She takes the case of #breonnataylor personally and she’s sacrificing work, time with her loved ones, and her comfort to make sure the offenders are held accountable for their actions. This is her passion, this is her purpose,” Lauren added.
Earlier in the day, Williams had shared that she would be participating in a peaceful demonstration in Taylor’s hometown to demand justice for her death.
On March 13, Taylor was killed by Louisville Metro Police. She and boyfriend Kenneth Walker were in their home when police made a late-night raid at the wrong address, looking for someone who had been taken into police custody hours earlier. Taylor was shot eight times. No drugs were found, and as of today, no arrests have been made in Taylor’s death.
Taylor’s case came to light once more after the fatal arrest of George Floyd, which ignited nationwide protests against systemic racism and police brutality.
360aproko spoke with Williams last month, where she expressed that she always has a “heart for the people” and how Floyd’s death moved her to take action. She, as well as McKinley, were dispersed with tear gas at an Atlanta protest in June. The pain of the moment was not enough to deter her from the cause.
“Yes, I took some gas and to my eyes and I had to have milk and water poured in my face. Listen, I’m all right, I’m all right,” Williams told 360aproko. “And everyone else who’s out there fighting the good fight, they will also be all right, but it has to be known, it has to be demanded, that we are able to peacefully protest. It is the voice of the people — this is how they are being heard.”
“The message that we have is not going to die, it’s not. George Floyd will not have died in vain,” she added. “Breonna Taylor will not have died in vain, and the other people who have been victims of police brutality will not have died in vain.”
