Protesters gathered in Memphis, New York and other cities. After officials released four videos of the fatal beating.
A trio of Tennessee Democratic state lawmakers on Saturday vowed. That police reform legislation would be forthcoming. in the wake of Tyree Nichols’ fatal beating. At the hands of law enforcement.
State Rep. Joe Towns Jr., state House Democratic Caucus Chair John Ray Clemons. And Rep. GA Hardaway of Memphis held a news conference to announce the measure.
The three said it would discuss implicit bias training. Limiting officers who face firing or discipline in one jurisdiction. Then transferring to another jurisdiction, ongoing psychiatric evaluations. Access to information on bad or fraudulent officers for judges. More selective hiring, reassessment of requirements. Arrests in traffic stops, and reassessments of low-level traffic stop themselves.
“You should never have to wear a wooden overcoat, a coffin, because of a traffic stop. That should never happen. So we have to take it very seriously,” Towns said.
Hardaway said the Bills face an early deadline of Tuesday. Towns said lawmakers could have until early spring, otherwise. To develop and fine-tune any proposals stemming from Nichols’ death.
“It’s really unfortunate that the legislation is needed,” Clemons said, “- that we have to do the Humanity Act in 2023.”
The Tennessee Fraternal Order of Police did not immediately respond. To a request for comment. The Memphis Police Targeted Scorpion Unit has been permanently disabled.
“Through careful listening to the family of Tyre Nichols, community leaders. And the officers involved who have done quality work in their line of duty. It is in everyone’s best interest to permanently deactivate the SCORPION unit.” The department said. A statement on Saturday. The five former Memphis police officers charged with murder in Nichols.’ Death were members of the Street Crimes. Operation Restoring Peace in Our Neighborhoods unit. A spokeswoman for the Shelby County District Attorney’s office. Confirmed to todaystrendnews News on Saturday.
The anti-violence unit was launched in November 2021. When the city’s homicide rate was rising and residents were clamoring for action.
“I want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to make sure this doesn’t happen again.” Mayor Jim Strickland said in a weekly newsletter Friday hours. Before the release of video showing the police encounter that led to his death. The NFL condemned the violence on Saturday. A day after the release of video showing the police beating of Tyre Nichols.
“The NFL mourns the tragic and senseless death of Tyre Nichols. And we extend our condolences to his loved ones and the Memphis community,” the league tweeted. “We are deeply committed to fighting the injustices and inequities. That plague our society and will continue to work with our social justice partners. To support our communities and fight for change.” The NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies weighed in on the case on Friday.
“We are concerned that we find ourselves dealing. With unnecessary loss of life due to police brutality. And this time it was Memphis’ own,” the Grizzlies wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. “Let’s support each other and respect how our fellow Memphians are coping.” Protests continued in Atlanta, Boston and Charlotte on Saturday. After the release of video footage showing five men beating. Former Memphis police officer Tyree Nichols. who died on January 10.
In Charlotte, protesters marched chanting “No justice, no peace” and “Whose streets? Our streets.” In downtown Atlanta, a protest was held near Centennial Olympic Park. Where many people held signs demanding justice for 29-year-old Nichols. A large group of protesters gathered outside. The Massachusetts State House in Boston on Saturday afternoon. “We want justice for our people,” chanted the group.
Other protests are expected Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee. Baltimore, Maryland; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus, Ohio; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
The rallies, which began Friday night. After authorities released the video, were relatively peaceful. Former President Barack Obama said in a joint statement with Michelle Obama. That Tyre Nichols’ death was another “painful reminder. Of how far America still has to go to fix how we police our streets.“
Barack Obama called the fatal beating of Nicholls an “accident” and “senseless.”
“Besides to grieving Tire and supporting his family. It’s up to all us to come together for lasting change,” he said in a tweet on Saturday. Lora Dene King, Rodney King’s daughter, said she was “beyond angry.” “Beyond disgusted” and “beyond disgusted.” After watching footage of Tyre Nichols punching. And kicking five former Memphis officers during a Jan. 7 traffic stop.
