On Saturday night, 24-year old Summer Taylor (they/them) died after they were struck by a car in Seattle. Taylor was with a group of Black Lives Matter protestors on a closed freeway when a white Jaguar drove straight into them as well as 32-year-old Diaz Love, who remains in critical condition.
Many have described Taylor as “kind” and a GoFundMe page that has since exceeded its $20,000 goal described the activist as a “bright and caring person who’s presence elicits joy and laughter in others.” Walker also worked at a vet clinic and often stayed out late to attend Black Lives Matter protests.
Shortly after, police arrested Dawit Kelete, the 27-year-old man who drove the car.
Although it is unclear whether this was a deliberate attack or an accident, the interstate was blocked and Kelete had to drive past a police barrier and several cars before he hit protestors. By Sunday morning, he was booked at a local correctional facility on two counts of “vehicular assault.”
There have now been more than fifty instances of cars ramming into Black Lives Matter protests since May.
There is a clear motive – there have been 50 terrorists using cars as weapons – the driver knew what they were doing. We know what it is. It is racism. It is white male fragility.
Summer Taylor deserves better from @wastatepatrol
Than a bullshit victim blaming #SummerTaylor— Andy Kopsa (@andykopsa) July 5, 2020
Love, the other victim who is in critical condition, had been filming the protest on Facebook Live when the car sped towards them.
