Federal prosecutors agreed to recommend a prison sentence of no more than 40 years for a former Memphis police officer who pleaded guilty Friday, August 23, to federal civil rights violations in the 2023 fatal beating of Tyre Nichols.
Recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.
Relatives of Tyre Nichols, George Floyd and Eric Garner — three Black men killed in violent confrontations with police officers — expressed frustration Friday with politicians who have failed to pass police reform legislation or have worked to invalidate laws intended to reduce chances that citizens’ encounters with police end in death.
The Justice Department announced Wednesday, March 8, that it will review the Memphis Police Department policies on the use of force, de-escalation strategies and specialized units in response to the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols during an arrest. Meanwhile, a judge ordered that video footage and other information pertaining to the Nichols case that was expected to be released Wednesday must be delayed to give lawyers time to review it.
There was no “protect and serve.” Just an out of control and outside-the-bounds-of-their-authority attack on an unarmed Black man, said Sen. Seven Bradford (D-Gardena).
True change can only come through prayer and fasting. But, prayer only works when we take action and not passively sit by and wait for others to act. Yes, we must pray, but let us pray for strength, courage, and the determination to work together until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.
We are only 31 days into 2023, but the level of violence and deadly occurrences between the police and Black men is already trending towards a record and tragic high.
Officials across the Southland and the U.S. issued statements expressing outrage and condemnation over the video depicting the beating and murder of Tyre Nichols by five Memphis, Tennessee police officers.