Protests may erupt in towns throughout the United States after shocking video evidence of US police beating Tyre Nichols in Memphis earlier this month was revealed on Friday, resulting in injuries from which he eventually died.
The city of Memphis published four videos on Friday (local time) showing police officers kicking and hitting Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, according to The New York Times. According to The New York Times, Memphis municipal leaders and Nichols’ family have appealed for peaceful protests.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, US President Joe Biden joined their request. In a statement, the New York City Police Department stated that officials were preparing for the prospect of protests.
Mr. Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, said Friday that the five officers had “disgraced” their families and that she would pray for them, according to the New York Times.
Officers can be heard telling Nichols, who was dragged out of his car,”I’m just trying to go home,” and at one point he repeatedly screams, “Mom, Mom, Mom.”
According to authorities, Nichols, a 29-year-old Black male, was hospitalised following his arrest on January 7 and died three days later as a result of his injuries. According to The New York Times, five officers have been charged with murder in the killing of Tyre Nichols.
According to CNN, video recorded from a remotely operated camera put on a utility pole in the vicinity shows Memphis police officers striking Nichols at least nine times without apparent provocation. When the video pans to the scene, one cop is seen shoving Nichols to the ground with his knee or leg.
Nichols is dragged by his shoulders and then kicked in the face, according to CNN. He was then dragged into a seated position. Nichols is shown in the video being smacked in the back with what appears to be a baton. Nichols was pummelling again after being hauled to his knees.
According to CNN, after being brought to his feet, the officers punched Nichols in the face many times as his hands were held behind his back, causing him to fall to his knees. An cop then seems to kick Nichols in the footage. Officers let go of Nichols more than three minutes after the encounter is captured on video, and he rolls onto his back.
Nichols was dragged along the pavement and propped up in a sitting position against the side of a car after one minute. After ten minutes, a person who appears to be a paramedic arrives to assist Nichols. According to the footage provided by the city of Memphis, Tyre Nichols was heard telling policemen during his initial confrontation that he is “just trying to go home,” according to the news report.
The medical reaction to Tyre Nichols shortly after he was beaten was captured on camera by the Shelby County District Attorney’s office. Nichols is seen slumping over to the side and appearing to bang his head against a piece of equipment around two minutes after paramedics arrive.
According to CNN, no one appears to assist Nichols as he attempts to sit up. After a minute, officers gathered around Nichols.
According to the television report, it took 23 minutes for a stretcher to arrive at the scene after Nichols seemed to be subdued and on his back on the ground. An ambulance arrived at the scene of the accident two minutes later.
