In Memphis, flowers and candles have been brought for the death of Tire Nichols, who was injured in a police arrest and later died in the hospital. Warning to viewers: the story video contains violence.
In the United States, the city of Memphis has released police videos black by Tire Nichols about the arrest situation. Videos have been published by several news channels, such as American TV company CNN (you will switch to another service).
In the attached video, publishes excerpts of the violence inflicted on Nichols by the police during the arrest. The case has resulted in an exceptionally large social debate in the United States. The video has been flagged with a content warning due to the violence it contains.
Nichols was stopped in traffic on January 7th near his home. According to Memphis police, the reason for the initial stop was suspicion of reckless driving.
Nichols, 29, died three days later in hospital.
The video shows how Nichols, who was thrown from the car, tried to flee the police on foot before the officers used a taser and forced him to the ground. The video footage shows that Nichols, who was on the ground, was, among other things, kicked and hit with a rubber band.
During the arrest, Nichols calls out to his mother.
Later, Nichols’ mother RowVaughn Wells told a press conference that the police had abused her son.
“It broke my heart to know that my own son cried out for me in his hour of greatest need and I wasn’t there to help him,” RowVaughn Wells said.
Fired police officers charged with second degree murder
According to lawyers for the Nichols family, Nichols had been severely beaten.
Five police officers have been fired because of the incident, and they are accused of, among other things, second degree murder, which is equivalent to manslaughter in Finland.
Nichols’ death differs from many previous deaths of black men at the hands of the police in that, in addition to Nichols, all five officers are also black.
In May 2020, in the custody of the police of George Floyd the incident sparked widespread protests against police brutality and structural racism. Floyd’s death increased demands for changes in police use of force, including a national registry of police misconduct.
President Biden appeals for restraint
Flowers and candles have been brought to Tire Nichols’ favorite skate park.
President of the United States Joe Biden says he was “disgusted and hurt” by the content of the videos. Biden has urged potential protesters to avoid violence.
The atmosphere in parts of the United States has already been tense in some places due to the reactions raised by the death of George Floyd a couple of years ago.
Sources: Reuters, STT