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Protesters rally against Tyre Nichols’ deadly police beating in Lafayette Square near the White House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 27. Photo: Pedro Ugarte/AFP via Getty Images
People across the country reacted Friday after the city of Memphis published video It depicts the police fatally beating tire nicholsa 29-year-old black man who died days after a violent arrest.
Big picture: Elected officials and community members expressed shock and grief after seeing police body camera and neighborhood security camera footage, with multiple Memphis Police Department (MPD) officers screaming for help as Nichols screamed for help. Police officers were seen kicking, punching, and batoning Nichols.
detail: “Like many people, I was outraged and deeply heartbroken when I saw the horrific video of the beating that led to Tyre Nichols’ death.” President Biden said in statement on Friday evening. “This is a poignant reminder of the deep fear and trauma, pain and exhaustion that black and brown Americans experience every day.”
- “We must do all we can to ensure that our criminal justice system lives up to its promise of fair and equitable justice, equal treatment and dignity for all,” Biden continued. “Real and lasting change can only come from taking action to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D. […] Actions by officials sworn to protect their communities are not conscientious. “
- Tennessee Senators Bill Haggerty (R) and Marsha Blackburn (R) released a statement on Friday, in which Haggerty said: My prayers are with Tyre Nichols’ family as they endure unimaginable grief.”
- Haggerty said he had asked the Department of Justice and the FBI to “notify my office of the ongoing investigation,” adding, “What happened and how to prevent such wrongdoing from happening again.” It added that it would request a “full and independent investigation to determine
- “My office is in communication with DOJ and will continue to work with federal and local authorities,” Blackburn said in a statement. [My husband] Praying for the loved ones of Tyre Nichols and for peace in Memphis and throughout our state. ”
in the meantime, Martin Luther King IIIactivist and eldest son of Martin Luther King Jr. Said He was “profoundly haunted” by the video. “We have all witnessed a terrifying yet perverse and familiar act committed by law enforcement officers. All involved must be arrested and charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols. His family And our country deserves justice.”
- The Memphis Grizzlies also issued a statement, saying, “We are distraught to deal with the needless loss of life from police brutality, and this time it was Memphis’ own. […] Let’s support each other and respect how our fellow Memphis people are coping. ”
- There was also moment of silence ahead of Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Zoom out: Protesters took to the streets in cities such as Memphis and Washington, DC while the video was released on Friday night.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with additional statements.
