Protests break out across US calling for justice for Tyre Nichols
Protests have erupted in several major US cities over the weekend in anger at the death of Tyre Nichols after he was severely beaten by police officers.
Five officers from a specialist street crime squad in Memphis, Tennessee, have been charged with murdering the 29-year-old, who was pulled over for a traffic stop.
Footage of the incident appears to show the officers almost immediately becoming violent despite minimal resistance from Tyre.
He is seen briefly breaking free after one officer threatens to tase him, after which the group chase him down and repeatedly punch him, kick him and strike him with batons.
Tyre was left slumped against a police car for 20 minutes before being taken to hospital, where he died three days later.
Demonstrations gathered in Memphis soon after the footage was released on Friday, and spread across the country on Saturday.
The main protest, in New York, saw 100 people marched two miles from Washington Square to Time Square, where they were joined by dozens more.
Demonstrators carried placards while repeating Tyre’s name and chanting: ‘No justice, no peace.’
At least three people were arrested, with footage on social media showing one protester was kicking in a car window while others scuffled with officers.
Crowds counting dozens of protesters each also amassed in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francsisco, Atlanta and other cities.
Initial reports indicate the vast majority of the demonstrations went ahead peacefully.
Speaking at a vigil for Tyre on Thursday, his mother RowVaughn Wells said: ‘When that tape comes out, it’s going to be horrific
‘But I want each and every one of you to protest in peace. If you guys are here for me and Tyre, then you will protest peacefully.
‘I don’t want us burning up our city, tearing up the streets, because that’s not what my son stood for.
‘If you guys are here for me and Tyre, then you will protest peacefully.’
Speaking of the moment she arrived in hospital shortly after her son’s death, Tyre’s mother told CNN: ‘They had beat him to a pulp.
‘His head was swollen like a watermelon. His neck was busting because of the swelling — they broke his neck.
‘My son’s nose looked like an S. They actually just beat the crap out of him.’
Doctors told her that even if he had survived, his brain damage was so severe that he would never have regained full consciousness, Ms Wells added.
The five officers – Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills Jr, Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith – face trial for second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
They initially claimed Tyre was pulled over for reckless driving, however the start of the traffic stop was not filmed for reasons which are unclear.
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis previously said investigators were unable to identify a probable cause of arrest after reviewing the available footage but said the officers were ‘ramped up’ from the get go and likely terrified Tyre.
Protesters in Memphis cheered to news that the 50-strong ‘Scorpion’ unit the officers belonged to had been disbanded.
In a statement, Memphis’ police department said: ‘While the heinous actions of a few casts a cloud of dishonour on the title Scorpion, it is imperative that we, the Memphis Police Department, take proactive steps in the healing process for all impacted.’
Lawyers representing Tyre’s family welcomed the move as ‘both appropriate and proportional to the tragic death of Tyre Nichols, and also a decent and just decision for all citizens of Memphis’.