Protesters took to the streets following the grand jury charges in the Breonna Taylor case on Wednesday. Outrage and heartbreak has boiled over into demonstrations in cities across the US.
The grand jury indicted former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison on first-degree wanton endangerment charges for his actions on the night Taylor was killed by police. Two other officers at the scene were not indicted, and no one was charged directly with her death.
Taylor, a 26-year-old Black emergency medical technician, was killed in her own home in March when the three plainclothes officers executed a "no-knock" warrant.
Demonstrators and activists criticized the charges, demanding more serious counts.
![Courtney Anderson, Karr Young and Cailin Wilson hold up signs while skateboarding as they join a protest in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 26.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200929024930-breonna-taylor-protests-0926-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Courtney Anderson, Karr Young and Cailin Wilson hold up signs while skateboarding as they join a protest in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 26.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
![A car window is smashed following protests in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 26. Mayor Greg Fischer mandated a city-wide curfew restricting protestors from gathering between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200929025202-02-breonna-taylor-protests-0926-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A car window is smashed following protests in Louisville, Kentucky, on September 26. Mayor Greg Fischer mandated a city-wide curfew restricting protestors from gathering between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images
![The University of Louisville men's basketball team leads a march calling for justice for Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, September 25.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200925210316-01-breonna-taylor-protest-0925-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
The University of Louisville men's basketball team leads a march calling for justice for Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, on Friday, September 25.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
![Ju'Niyah Palmer, Breonna Taylor's sister, wipes away tears from the face of her mother Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, as Bianca Austin, the aunt of Breonna Taylor, speaks at a press conference in Jefferson Square Park in Louisville on September 25.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200925210400-02-breonna-taylor-protests-0925-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Ju'Niyah Palmer, Breonna Taylor's sister, wipes away tears from the face of her mother Tamika Palmer, Breonna Taylor's mother, as Bianca Austin, the aunt of Breonna Taylor, speaks at a press conference in Jefferson Square Park in Louisville on September 25.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
![Religious leaders from around the city gather at a press conference in front of First Unitarian Church in Louisville on Friday, September 25. Leaders discussed the unrest and incident the previous night where police surrounded the church and threatened to detain anyone who attempted to exit the perimeter.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200925210431-03-breonna-taylor-protests-0925-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Religious leaders from around the city gather at a press conference in front of First Unitarian Church in Louisville on Friday, September 25. Leaders discussed the unrest and incident the previous night where police surrounded the church and threatened to detain anyone who attempted to exit the perimeter.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images
![A demonstrator speaks in front of a police line in Louisville on September 25.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200925210511-04-breonna-taylor-protests-0925-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A demonstrator speaks in front of a police line in Louisville on September 25.
Jeff Dean/AFP/Getty Images
![Protesters light up their cell phones during a demonstration on Interstate 64 in St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, September 24.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924222130-06-breonna-taylor-protest-0924.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Protesters light up their cell phones during a demonstration on Interstate 64 in St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, September 24.
Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images
![A protester wears a gas mask outside the First Unitarian Church on Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924234804-07c-breonna-taylor-protests-0923-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A protester wears a gas mask outside the First Unitarian Church on Thursday in Louisville, Kentucky.
John Minchillo/AP
![Police speak with protesters at the First Unitarian Church on Thursday in Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924221406-05-breonna-taylor-protest-0924-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Police speak with protesters at the First Unitarian Church on Thursday in Louisville.
John Minchillo/AP
![Tanesha Grant led about 100 people in a peaceful protest at Union Square in Manhattan on September 24, one day after a grand jury charged only one officer for shooting into a neighboring apartment in the case of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. The protesters held signs calling for justice for Taylor as well as defunding the police.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924200352-02-ny-blm-portiest-0924.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Tanesha Grant led about 100 people in a peaceful protest at Union Square in Manhattan on September 24, one day after a grand jury charged only one officer for shooting into a neighboring apartment in the case of Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. The protesters held signs calling for justice for Taylor as well as defunding the police.
Seth Harrison/The Journal News/USA Today Network/Sipa USA
![Protesters march through Louisville on September 24.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924203709-03-breonna-taylor-protest-0924-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Protesters march through Louisville on September 24.
John Minchillo/AP
![An armed counterprotester speaks with Black Lives Matter demonstrators on September 24 in Louisville, Kentucky.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924201445-lousiville-armed-counter-protestor.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
An armed counterprotester speaks with Black Lives Matter demonstrators on September 24 in Louisville, Kentucky.
John Minchillo/AP
![Supporters of Breonna Taylor raise their fists near Jefferson Square Park in Louisville on September 24.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924202054-01-breonna-taylor-protest-0924-louisville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Supporters of Breonna Taylor raise their fists near Jefferson Square Park in Louisville on September 24.
Mark Lyons/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
![Sheree Barbour holds her fist in the air as people protest the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case on Wednesday, September 23, in Denver, Colorado.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924095023-09-blm-protests-0923-denver.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Sheree Barbour holds her fist in the air as people protest the grand jury decision in the Breonna Taylor case on Wednesday, September 23, in Denver, Colorado.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
![Demonstrators march during a protest in New York over a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Taylor.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924094505-04-blm-protests-0923-nyc.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Demonstrators march during a protest in New York over a Kentucky grand jury's decision not to indict any police officers for the killing of Taylor.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP
![Police officers move past Louisville City Hall as a curfew is implemented at 9 p.m. to disperse protesters on September 23.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923232659-02b-louisville-protests.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Police officers move past Louisville City Hall as a curfew is implemented at 9 p.m. to disperse protesters on September 23.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
![Demonstrators gather at the US Department of Justice before marching to the White House to call for justice for Taylor.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924095317-12-blm-protests-0923-dc.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Demonstrators gather at the US Department of Justice before marching to the White House to call for justice for Taylor.
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post/Getty Images
![Protesters demonstrate at the door to the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924095747-15-blm-protests-0923-nashville.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Protesters demonstrate at the door to the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville.
George Walker IV/The Tennessean/Imagn Content Services
![Demonstrators in Louisville react to gunfire. Two officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department were shot Wednesday night during the protests.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923225119-05-louisville-protests-0923-night.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Demonstrators in Louisville react to gunfire. Two officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department were shot Wednesday night during the protests.
John Minchillo/AP
![People rally in Denver to protest the grand jury decision.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924094943-08-blm-protests-0923-denver.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
People rally in Denver to protest the grand jury decision.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
![A woman carries a boy and a sign that reads, "Please don't make me a Breonna Taylor," as they watch protesters gather in Brooklyn, New York.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924094858-07-blm-protests-0923-nyc.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A woman carries a boy and a sign that reads, "Please don't make me a Breonna Taylor," as they watch protesters gather in Brooklyn, New York.
Wong Maye-E/AP
![Protesters attend a march at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland, California, in solidarity with Louisville protesters.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924094042-01-blm-protests-0923-oakland-ca.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Protesters attend a march at the Lake Merritt Amphitheater in Oakland, California, in solidarity with Louisville protesters.
Amy Harris/Shutterstock
![Demonstrators march from the US Department of Justice to the White House.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924095552-13-blm-protests-0923-dc.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Demonstrators march from the US Department of Justice to the White House.
Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post/Getty Images
![Louisville Metro Police Department interim police chief Robert Schroeder speaks to journalists as he confirms <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fus%2Flive-news%2Fbreonna-taylor-announcement%2Fh_acb84c21640413159d4c915dd56e4734" target="_blank">two officers were shot during protests</a> in downtown Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923224435-04-louisville-protests-0923-night.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Louisville Metro Police Department interim police chief Robert Schroeder speaks to journalists as he confirms two officers were shot during protests in downtown Louisville.
Bryan Woolston/Reuters
![Franklin Long touches a monument to boxer Joe Louis in downtown Detroit as protesters march calling for justice for Taylor.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924095946-16-blm-protests-0923-detroit.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Franklin Long touches a monument to boxer Joe Louis in downtown Detroit as protesters march calling for justice for Taylor.
Junfu Han/Imagn Content Services
![A man holds a sign reading "Justice for Breonna Taylor" in Denver.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924095225-11-blm-protests-0923-denver.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A man holds a sign reading "Justice for Breonna Taylor" in Denver.
Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
![Protesters jump onto the lower roadway of the Manhattan Bridge as people demonstrate in New York.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924094734-06-blm-protests-0923-nyc.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Protesters jump onto the lower roadway of the Manhattan Bridge as people demonstrate in New York.
Wong Maye-E/AP
![Demonstrators march and block streets in Eugene, Oregon.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924100031-17-blm-protests-0923-eugene-or.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Demonstrators march and block streets in Eugene, Oregon.
Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard/Imagn Content Services
![A protester rests in an intersection in downtown Los Angeles.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924094126-02-blm-protests-0923-la.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A protester rests in an intersection in downtown Los Angeles.
Kyle Grillot/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
![Graffiti in honor of Taylor is seen in Chicago.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924095645-14-blm-protests-0923-chicago.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Graffiti in honor of Taylor is seen in Chicago.
Natasha Moustache/Getty Images
![Demonstrators march on the Williamsburg Bridge in New York.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924094555-05-blm-protests-0923-nyc.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Demonstrators march on the Williamsburg Bridge in New York.
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP
![Christina Johnson chants Taylor's name as three women huddle following the grand jury announcement in Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923165808-01-breonna-tayor-protests-0923-restricted.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Christina Johnson chants Taylor's name as three women huddle following the grand jury announcement in Louisville.
Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network
![Father Michael Pfleger led a group of protesters in Chicago before using fake blood to paint Taylor's name on the street.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200924102237-18-blm-protests-0923-chicago.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Father Michael Pfleger led a group of protesters in Chicago before using fake blood to paint Taylor's name on the street.
Vashon Jordan Jr./@vashon_photo
![Protesters fill the streets of Louisville following the announcement from the state's attorney general.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923165939-02-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Protesters fill the streets of Louisville following the announcement from the state's attorney general.
Bryan Woolston/Reuters
![A Louisville police officer fires a pepper ball gun into a crowd of protesters.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923192452-07-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A Louisville police officer fires a pepper ball gun into a crowd of protesters.
Lawrence Bryant/Reuters
![Nicole Hayden reacts to the grand jury decision in Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923192011-11-breonna-taylor-protests-0923-restricted.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Nicole Hayden reacts to the grand jury decision in Louisville.
Alton Strupp/Courier Journal/USA Today Network
![A protester in Louisville offers a detained man water.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923162757-04-louisville-police-confrontation-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A protester in Louisville offers a detained man water.
Bryan Woolston/Reuters
![Louisville officers detain protesters following the announcement.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923170811-12-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Louisville officers detain protesters following the announcement.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
![A woman confronts a National Guard vehicle in Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923192233-10-breonna-taylor-protests-0923-restricted.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A woman confronts a National Guard vehicle in Louisville.
Alton Strupp/Courier Journal/USA Today Network
![A Taylor supporter yells to journalists covering a protest in Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923170017-03-breonna-taylor-protests-0923-restricted.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A Taylor supporter yells to journalists covering a protest in Louisville.
Matt Stone/Courier Journal/USA Today Network
![A member of the National Guard patrols downtown Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923170110-04-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A member of the National Guard patrols downtown Louisville.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
![A demonstrator in Louisville confronts a police officer.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923170138-05-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A demonstrator in Louisville confronts a police officer.
Bryan Woolston/Reuters
![People had gathered in Louisville in anticipation of the decision. In the months since her death, Taylor's plight has been taken up not only by demonstrators but by celebrities like NBA star LeBron James and Oprah Winfrey, who put the ER tech on the cover of her namesake magazine.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923170315-08-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
People had gathered in Louisville in anticipation of the decision. In the months since her death, Taylor's plight has been taken up not only by demonstrators but by celebrities like NBA star LeBron James and Oprah Winfrey, who put the ER tech on the cover of her namesake magazine.
Bryan Woolston/Reuters
![A woman in Louisville cries out after the charges were announced.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923151657-03-louisville-taylor-reaction-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
A woman in Louisville cries out after the charges were announced.
Darron Cummings/AP
![Names of victims of police shootings are seen on a boarded-up business in downtown Louisville.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923170224-06-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
Names of victims of police shootings are seen on a boarded-up business in downtown Louisville.
Jeff Dean/AFP/Getty Images
![People covered Jefferson Square in Louisville with signs and flowers memorializing Taylor while waiting for the announcement in her case.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/200923170408-09-breonna-taylor-protests-0923.jpg?q=w_1576,c_fill)
People covered Jefferson Square in Louisville with signs and flowers memorializing Taylor while waiting for the announcement in her case.
Darron Cummings/AP