Editor’s Note: This article contains graphic videos and descriptions of violence.
CNN
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Protesters across the US staged marches and rallies on Saturday, a day after the release of a video showing police brutally beating Tire Nichols in Memphis.
The graphic video of police beating the black man who later died earlier this month drew outrage from across the country. Protests began to form Friday night, with people in several cities taking to the streets and erecting signs bearing Nichols’ name.
Saturday’s marches and rallies were expected in Memphis, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Athens, Georgia, and Columbus, Ohio, among others. Most will take place in the afternoon or evening.
Protesters near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta on Saturday repeated Nichols’ name and demanded justice. Then they marched through the center.
In Memphis, protesters closed an Interstate 55 bridge near downtown late Friday, chanting, “No justice, no peace,” according to a CNN team on the scene. According to the police, no arrests were made at the demonstration.
Prior to the videos’ release, Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, called for peaceful protests.
Memphis city councilman Michalyn Easter-Thomas told CNN’s Boris Sanchez on Saturday that there were fears of violent protests before the release of the video because of a lack of police accountability in previous incidents.
“And I think last night we saw a very peaceful and direct sense of protest in the city of Memphis, and I think it’s because we may have faith and hope that the system will get it right this time,” Easter-Thomas said .
Five Memphis officers have been fired and charged in Nichols’ death.
In New York, clashes broke out between several protesters and police officers as protesters populated Times Square, video posted on social media shows.
Three protesters were arrested, one of whom jumped on the hood of a police car and broke the windshield, New York police said.
Protesters also gathered in Washington, D.C., at Lafayette Square to demand justice for Nichols, according to video posted on social media.
Protesters marched along the West Coast in Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, carrying signs reading “Justice for Tire Nichols” and “prison killers.”
Video from the Jan. 7 encounter shows “acts that defy humanity,” Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis warned before the footage was released to the public. Nichols died on January 10.
The arrest begins with a traffic stop for what officers say was reckless driving and then shows officers beating Nichols with batons, kicking and beating him – also while his hands are held behind his body – as the young man screams for his mother, video shows.
The encounter ends with Nichols sinking to the floor in handcuffs, leaning against an unattended police car as officers walk around. Nichols was later hospitalized and died three days later.
Video shows that 23 minutes have passed from when Nichols appears subdued and lying on his back on the floor before a stretcher arrives at the scene.
Footage of the violent encounter was released because Nichols’ family “wants the world to witness and feel their pain,” Shelby County District Attorney Steven Mulroy said.
“While we can’t bring Tire back with nothing, we promise you we’ll do everything we can to make sure Tire’s family and our city of Memphis see justice for Tire Nichols,” added Mulroy.
Memphis police have been unable to find anything to substantiate the probable cause of reckless driving and the video of the encounter shows a “disregard for life, duty of care we have all sworn.” Davis said.
According to the Shelby County District Attorney, five former Memphis police officers involved in the arrest — who are also black — have been charged with manslaughter and aggravated kidnapping. They were identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr.
Two Memphis Fire Department employees who were part of Nichols’ primary care were relieved of their duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Also, two Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies have been placed on furlough pending an investigation after the sheriff viewed the video.
The Memphis Police Association, which represents city police officers, offered its condolences to the Nichols family and said it does not condone mistreatment of civilians or abuse of power.
The association said it has ‘confidence in the criminal justice system’.
“That belief is what we will lean on in the coming days, weeks and months to ensure the totality of the circumstances is revealed,” a statement said. “Mr. Nichols’ family, the city of Memphis and the rest of the country deserve nothing less. We pray for justice, healing and eventual closure for all involved.”
According to Easter-Thomas, next week’s city council meeting will be “robust.”
Easter-Thomas said she wants to make sure police know the council is supporting them, but expects officers to do their job with the “greatest fidelity”.
‘We all knew fate’: Memphis legislator emotionally describes Nichols’ video
The Memphis police chief compared the video to the 1991 Los Angeles police beating of Rodney King, which sparked days of unrest in the city.
“I was on the force during the Rodney King incident, and it’s very much in line with that same kind of behavior,” Davis said.
Nichols family attorney Ben Crump also made the comparison. “Attacked, assaulted, beaten, kicked, tased, pepper sprayed. It’s very disturbing,” he said.
“The only difference between my dad’s situation and now is hashtags and a clearer camera,” Lora King, Rodney King’s daughter, told CNN. “We have to do better, this is unacceptable.”
“I don’t think anyone in their right mind, anyone who respects humanity would agree to this,” she said, adding that she is saddened for Nichols’ family and loved ones. “I’m just sad because where we are in America right now, we’re still here. I am in disbelief.”
A protest over Nichols’ death is scheduled for Saturday in Los Angeles.
Memphis City Council President Martavius Jones was emotional as he discussed the video with CNN’s Don Lemon on Friday.
“This was a traffic stop,” Jones said. “It shouldn’t have ended like this.”
U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, representing parts of Memphis, said the video is “overwhelming to watch.”
“They weren’t there to serve and protect, or even arrest; they were there to punish and dominate,” he said.
President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and deeply hurt” after seeing the video. “It’s yet another painful reminder of the deep anguish and trauma, pain and exhaustion that black and brown Americans experience every day.”
Governors across the aisle have also expressed outrage at the violent confrontation.
