We demand immediate action to put an end to the senseless police brutality that took the life of Tyre Nichols. On January 7th, 2023, Tyre Nichols, a young Black man, was brutally beaten by police officers during a traffic stop in Memphis, Tennessee.
It is believed he was unarmed and posing no threat to the officers, yet police viciously beat Tyre for three minutes. He ultimately died from his injuries three days later. His body was left bruised and broken, a clear and gruesome reminder of the excessive force used against him.
This tragic incident is yet another reminder that leaders must address the systemic racism and police brutality faced by Black communities immediately. We call on elected officials and law enforcement agencies in the state of Tennessee to take the following actions to prevent further tragedies like this from occurring:
- Require that all police officers keep body cameras turned on and actively recording video to increase transparency and accountability.
- The state Department of Justice must conduct thorough and independent investigations into all cases of police brutality, with strict consequences for officers found to have used excessive force, including dismissal from the force and criminal prosecution.
- Implement mandatory racial bias training for all police officers throughout Tennessee. This is already the case in Memphis, but should be expanded and required for the rest of the state.
- Increase community oversight of police departments through the creation of citizen review boards.
We will not rest until justice is served for Tyre Nichols and until real, meaningful changes are made to prevent police brutality against Black communities. Sign this petition to demand that our leaders take immediate action to end this violence and protect the rights of all citizens.
