Friend,

It’s with a heavy heart that I write to you in response to failure to charge police officers in Breonna Taylor’s death.

In anticipation of the decision and potential protests downtown, the mayor of Louisville had declared a state of emergency for the area just two days ago -- and like all of you, I felt the feeling of worry, the hope of justice for Breonna Taylor slowing fading.

Then today, what we feared happened. No charges for two of the officers, and charges for the third only on damage to Breonna Taylor’s neighbors’ apartment.

Justice has not been served. As we and our ancestors have chanted for years: No justice, no peace.

Lately, it’s been so difficult to keep our heads up. To have faith in our democracy. And today, it’s painful beyond words to find out that our justice system has shown once again that equal justice under law remains a powerful aspiration -- but not yet a reality for all in our country.

This is why we say #BlackLivesMatter. It’s why we #SayHerName.

We owe it to Breonna Taylor to keep fighting for justice. For her family, friends, and community -- we owe it to them to keep up the fight.

Condemning police brutality is not something I will ever be silent about -- that’s why right here in San Diego, I’ve introduced initiatives to move services out of police officer’s job descriptions and into the hands of social workers and to reallocate funding directly into our communities -- especially our Black and brown communities.

For too long, we’ve ignored the bias in our justice system. And Breonna Taylor’s case is one of the many that prove the injustices that exist within our system.

Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, Detective Myles Cosgrove, and former detective Brett Hankison murdered Breonna Taylor. That’s exactly how they should be charged -- as murderers.

Demanding justice for Black lives is something I’ve never been silent about, and I don’t plan on stopping now.

I know this is tough -- but we can’t allow Breonna’s death to be in vain. We’ve got to continue this fight for her and her family. She deserves justice.

Breonna Taylor, say her name.

I extend my deepest condolences to Breonna’s family and friends -- and though it will only be cold comfort, police accountability is something I tackled right here in San Diego and is something I’ll tackle on the national level when elected to Congress this November.

Wishing everyone peace and justice,

Georgette