Biden calls for calm ahead of release of Tyre Nichols video

President Joe Biden called for calm Thursday night ahead of the expected Friday release by Memphis police of the Tire Nichols video.

“As Americans grieve, the Justice Department conducts its investigation, and state authorities continue their work, I join the Tire family in calling for peaceful protests,” the president said. Outrage is understandable, but violence is never acceptable. Violence is destructive and against the law. It has no place in peaceful protests seeking justice.’

Nichols, 29, died on January 10, three days after a traffic stop with five Memphis police officers left him hospitalized after a severe beating, just steps from his home. Nichols and the five officers are black.

Biden said Nichols’ family “deserve a prompt, full and transparent investigation into his death.”

The president added that “public trust is the foundation of public safety and there are still too many places in the United States today where the bonds of trust are frayed or broken.”

“Tyre’s death is a painful reminder that we must do more to ensure our criminal justice system delivers on the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment, and dignity for all,” Biden said. “We also cannot ignore the fact that fatal encounters with law enforcement have disparately impacted Black and Latino people.”

Tire Nichols is shown at the hospital after the incident. The 29-year-old from Memphis died on January 10 of cardiac arrest and kidney failure, three days after police pulled him over for reckless driving in cars without identification.

Five former Memphis police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes in the arrest and death of Tire Nichols.

‘To achieve real change, we must be held accountable when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we must build lasting trust between law enforcement officers, the vast majority of whom wear the badge with honor, and the communities they have served. sworn to serve and protect. ‘ continued the president.

Biden pointed out how the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act failed to pass Congress.

It passed the Democratic-led House of Representatives in March 2021, but failed in the Senate because Democrats did not have enough votes to overturn a GOP-led filibuster.

The president later signed an executive order that included stricter provisions on the use of force for federal law enforcement.

“Today, we must all recommit ourselves to the critical work that needs to be done to advance meaningful reform,” Biden said.

On Friday morning, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis described Nichols’ video as worse than what happened to Rodney King, which sparked the Los Angeles riots in the 1990s.

Tire Nichols died three days after he was brutally beaten by five Memphis police officers at a traffic stop.

People attend a candlelight vigil in memory of Tire Nichols at Tobey Skate Park in Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis (right) said the video of the attack on Nichols was the worst of her career.

“I don’t think I’ve witnessed anything of that nature in my entire career. He was outraged. It was incomprehensible to me. It was that bad,” he told CNN’s Don Lemon.

All five officers involved in the incident have been fired and charged with second degree murder, aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, two counts of official misconduct and official oppression.

Four of the five have been released from jail on bail.

“We are going to see acts that defy humanity, a disregard for life, a duty of care, and a level of physical interaction that is above and beyond what is required in law enforcement,” Davis said. ‘I’m sure the people who see it will feel what the family felt. And if you don’t, then you’re not a human being.

“I would say it’s about the same, if not worse, than the 1991 Rodney King beating. A groupthink mentality,” she added.

The police chief added that there is “no evidence” that Nichols was driving recklessly when he was pulled over, and officers were unable to substantiate claims that he was.