Reactions to charges filed against five Memphis Police Department officers in the death of Tyre Nichols believe the charges are a good place to start but not the end of justice in the case.
Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, attorneys for the Nichols family:
“The news today from Memphis officials that these five officers are being held criminally accountable for their deadly and brutal actions gives us hope as we continue to push for justice for Tyre.
“This young man lost his life in a particularly disgusting manner that points to the desperate need for change and reform to ensure this violence stops occurring during low-threat procedures, like in this case, a traffic stop.
“This tragedy meets the absolute definition of a needless and unnecessary death. Tyre’s loved ones’ lives were forever changed when he was beaten to death, and we will keep saying his name until justice is served.”
Tennessee state Senate Democratic Leader Sen. Raumesh Akbari:
“While I applaud the swift action of the district attorney, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Memphis Police Department, there is no justice for Tyre Nichols today.
“Justice would be Tyre living to see his next birthday. Justice is people in this community having trust that our police officers will first police themselves. No one should fear for their life during a simple traffic stop or be afraid to even engage with our officers.
There is no justice for Tyre Nichols today.
Sen. Raumseh Akbari
“So instead, today we begin the long act of healing our hurting community, Tyre’s mother and family, and ourselves.
“We cannot move forward together unless we are willing to do the work to hold our police department to the highest ethical standards and uproot any existence or acceptance of police brutality. This is our call to action and we must be vigilant.”
Tennessee state Sen. London Lamar, chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus:
“Like many of us, I feel traumatized by Tyre Nichols’ death and I am disturbed by the actions of the officers who were involved.
“While today we send our heartfelt condolences to the Nichols family, tomorrow we work toward achieving continuous accountability for law enforcement.
“This may be the most egregious act of police brutality in our nation’s history. It shows exactly how much work we have to do to build trust between our people and the officers who pledge to serve and protect our community.
“This may be the most egregious act of police brutality in our nation’s history.”
Sen. London Lamar
“Accountability for the officers involved in Tyre’s death is the first step. The next step is for law enforcement, state and federal officials, and local leaders to investigate why this happened. We have to fix the root causes of police brutality and then do the work to make sure it never happens again.”
U.S. Rep Steve Cohen
“Right now, much of the national media is looking at Memphis as there was an awful killing of a 29-year-old African American man by five police officers within the last few weeks.
“The five police officers have been fired by the police department for violating their oaths…It could be a situation where people want to exercise their First Amendment rights to protest actions of the Police Department, and people should. But they should be peaceful and calm.
“We have a new D.A. We have a new U.S. Attorney. And we have a new police director. They are the right people at the right time to bring about reform and to deal with this case to see that justice is rendered.
“I grieve for the life of Tyre Nichols, whose life should not have been extinguished. He was an outstanding young man and it’s extremely sad that he was killed.
“I pray for my city.”
Memphis City Council member Rhonda Logan, chair of council’s Public Safety Committee
“I’d like to share my deepest condolences, love, and prayers of comfort to the family and loved ones of Mr. Tyre Nichols. The death of Mr. Tyre Nichols has been deeply felt and particularly painful because it was in every way heinous. It was inhumane and, in my view, absolutely a crime.
“At the city council Public Safety Committee meeting on January 24th, 2023, I opened with a prayer for Mr. Nichols’ family and shared that I ‘…hope there will be an opportunity for open dialogue within the next few weeks once the investigation has concluded.’
“There are many unanswered questions, as well as new information we are learning about this case every day. As the Public Safety chair, I have not received any additional information from the Memphis Police Department or other law enforcement agency that has not been shared with the public.
“I want to assure members of the public that as chair of the Public Safety Committee, I am committed to holding public conversations with Memphis Police and Memphis Fire leadership about the failings of this tragic event.
“We will consider any and all legislation proposed by the city council and/or administration that could aid in the prevention of any other tragedy such as this one. We will increase regular reporting and transparency with the public, as well as continue to urge community policing.
As a council member elected to represent the citizens, that has and will continue to include Tyre Nichols.”
Rev. Jason Lawrence Turner, pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, and leader of the Black Clergy Collaborative of Memphis
“Today’s indictment against five Memphis police officers involved in the beating death of Tyre Nichols is also an indictment against the systemic injustice and abuse of power still rampant throughout the United States criminal justice system.
“Tragically, Tyre is now its face. But it has thousands of faces in thousands of communities across this country. The color of the officers who’ve been indicted is beside the point. They must be held accountable as must any person and any system that would abuse marginalized people.
“We must demand policy changes nationwide that finally pull systemic injustice out by the roots. We will start today in Memphis. Today can mark the beginning of the Second Civil Rights Movement: beyond individual equality to systemic equality.
“We demand a system that manifests justice for all, not the privileged few. In Tyre’s name, systemic justice is what we must demand and fight for — each day going forward until we overcome.”
