Louisville, Kentucky, got their Christmas present early this year. The Department of Justice, Louisville Metro Government and Louisville Metro Police Department have signed a Consent Decree, an agreement to enact significant, systemic reforms to policing in Louisville.

In 2020, the murder of Breonna Taylor sparked protests across the country and prompted the DOJ to investigate LMPD. Taylor was needlessly killed when LMPD enforced a no-knock warrant they obtained after officers lied on an affidavit.

In the wake of Taylor’s murder, with or without the DOJ, the Louisville community knew things had to change. This is when Bishop Dennis V. Lyons and then LMPD Deputy Police Chief Steve Healy (who is now the police chief of a neighboring town) met at a Cracker Barrel to talk. They continued to meet regularly to have hard yet necessary conversations about the state of public safety in Louisville.

These meetings evolved into what is now known as “The Bishop’s Table” — a weekly community gathering brimming with opportunity to stay connected and be part of the meaningful solutions for Louisville. All are welcome.

On Friday morning, Dec. 13, there was standing room only at The Bishop’s Table. Louisville Urban League President Lyndon Pryor and Louisville Metro Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright were both there to offer insights and answer questions about the newly signed consent decree, while also giving credit where credit was due.

Pryor said, “I want you all to realize, recognize and be proud of the fact that we would probably not be here talking about this today, had it not been for the public pressure applied on this (Louisville Metro) administration.” It was those who spoke out publicly, wrote emails, made phone calls and pushed who got this done. Along with organizations such as Vocal-KY, the ACLU and Louisville Urban League, Pryor also noted the regulars who attend The Table. He thanked everyone for their work to get this consent decree across the finish line. Bishop Lyons’ Table and its consistent community efforts are not in vain.

Parrish-Wright was sure to recognize the police presence in the room. She thanked officers for working with the community and being part of the solution. “All of the LMPD officers that show up here every week… this is not against you,” she said. “You have always shown us that you care about community, you care about our voices.”

Many were concerned that the consent decree would not get signed prior to Donald Trump taking office and rightfully so.

The country watched in 2017 when Chicago’s negotiations with the DOJ ended after the Trump administration took office. Plus Baltimore’s consent decree was also almost scrapped early in Trump’s first term when Attorney General Jeff Sessions asked the court for more time to review the agreement, expressing “grave concerns.” That request was, thankfully, denied.

The Louisville agreement came in the 11th hour. The presidential inauguration will happen Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. U.S. District Judge Benjamin Beaton has until – you guessed it – Jan. 20 to approve the consent decree. Judge Beaton was Trump-appointed in 2020. However, the community seems confident Beaton will approve the Louisville agreement without issue.

It will take some time for Louisville to unpack the 242-page consent decree and understand what work lies ahead to make the agreement truly meaningful for Derby City. But one thing is certain: The Bishop’s Table will be there every step of the way. Bishop Lyons has already begun putting together a committee. The Table is a special – dare I say sacred – space, where the community can gather and inspire action.

As Pryor said, “We need to take some stock in the fact that people power still works.”

Parrish-Wright agrees. “We have to work together,” she said. “No one organization, no one mayor, no one chief, no one person can do it by themselves.”

The Bishop’s Table is a testament to people power.