WASHINGTON DC – While protests continue to rage in various states across the country, diverse voices agree in condemning the brutal beating that led to the death of Tyr Nichols, a 29-year-old African-American man, that took place in Memphis, Tennessee. ,
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, said he was “outraged and deeply saddened” after seeing images of several police officers beating Nichols, who died days later in hospital.
Biden predicted the images published this Friday afternoon would “shock” many Americans, but asked those who “want justice” not to resort to violence.
“Violence is never acceptable, it is illegal and destructive,” the president said.
White House officials held a Friday afternoon call with mayors of 16 cities across the country ahead of possible protests later this week after Memphis police published video showing Nichols being beaten.
For his part, New York Mayor Eric Adams, who was on the call, said in a video statement posted on his social networks that he felt “devastated” by what happened to Nichols and urged the city’s residents asked to work. If you want to protest this weekend in a peaceful manner.
“If you need to express anger or resentment, do it in a calm manner,” he said in the video.
Adams said the city’s police department is already “fully prepared” to allow residents to exercise their right to protest.
United States Attorney General Merrick Garland promised this Friday that there would be an investigation into Nichols’ death at the hands of five police officers and said that any protests about the incident could be peaceful.
Five former agents remain in custody and face various criminal charges for the murder of Nichols, who was arrested on Jan. 7 for an alleged traffic violation.
While the Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, shared a statement saying he was “heartbroken, horrified and appalled” by what had happened.
“The repetition of wrongful killings is a stain on America. Five police officers betrayed their oaths to serve and protect their community and must be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
“Tyre was a father, a son, a friend, a brilliant young man who should still live. We must honor their memory by ensuring that these officers are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and bring about meaningful and lasting change to build a more just and equitable America.”
The Memphis Police Department released the video on Friday. This includes footage from police body cameras and surveillance cameras mounted on poles.
King’s daughter, Lora Dayne King, who was 7 years old when her father Rodney King was beaten to death during violent protests in 1991, released a statement on Nichols’ case.
He said in his statement, ‘This is very disgusting. “We shouldn’t be seeing such things in this world again and again with a different name behind a hashtag. It has become very disturbing to see these types of videos. It is often a case of severe thrashing compared to the brutal thrashing of my father in 1991.” Causes Los Angeles Police Department.
“This is something I will never understand. I wish to send God’s grace, mercy and strength to the family to keep his legacy and his good deeds alive. I am glad to know that he loved skateboarding like my father.” I hope his family finds more strength in the days to come.”
