Lawmakers condemn ‘brutal and violent murder’ of Tyre Nichols and call for justice after arrest video released

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify that Rep. James Clyburn (DS.C.) is a member of the House of Representatives.

Lawmakers condemned the “brutal and violent killing” of Tyre Nichols on Friday night after Memphis authorities released graphic footage of the traffic stop that led to Nichols’ death earlier this month.

“The brutal and violent killing of Tyr Nichols by officers sworn to protect the public is shameless,” House Minority Leader Hakim Jeffreys (DN.Y.) tweeted. “Justice for Tyr Nichols must be swift and complete.”

Video footage of Nichols’ arrest on January 10 shows police arriving using pepper spray and a stun gun on a 29-year-old black man and repeatedly kicking and punching him. During the beating, Nichols can be heard yelling at his mother.

The five officers involved in Nichols’ death, all black, were fired from the Memphis Police Department last week and were charged Thursday with second-degree murder and other crimes.

“A dangerous culture of violence has infiltrated too many police departments in this country. Over and over it’s deadly,” Rep. James Clyburn (DS.C.) tweeted in response to the footage. Tyre Nichols should be here today. We must change the culture that perpetuates these tragedies and bring those responsible to justice.”

Congressional Progressive Group Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (DN.J), head of the Law Enforcement, Constitution and Equality Task Force, said Nichols’ “brutal assassination” had left them behind. “shocked to the core.”

“The complete lack of humanity shown in the video defies even the worst of expectations,” the statement said. “It hurts a lot for moms to see Tyr calling for his mother.”

“People are rightfully outraged by what we have seen,” added Jayapal and Coleman. “This anger is justified and should be channeled into demanding accountability and reform of the law enforcement and criminal justice system, including the rejection of the police culture of the use of force.”

Many other lawmakers reacted similarly to the horror footage and a version of the “Tyre Nichols should be alive today” chorus.

Tyre Nichols family ahead of video release: ‘We Want Peace’ House honors victims of Half Moon Bay shooting with minute of silence

“Tire Nichols should be alive today,” Sen. Cory Booker (DN.J.) said in a statement. “My heart goes out to his family, friends and loved ones who are going through an unimaginable loss. His death is a grave injustice. Those responsible must be held accountable, and we cannot rest on our laurels.”

“You don’t need to watch the video to know that Tyre Nichols should be alive today,” Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) tweeted. “I applaud the swift action taken to bring those responsible for his murder to justice. However, police accountability should be the rule, not the exception.”

Many Democrats, including President Biden, have called for police reform, specifically the George Floyd Police Justice Act, following the release of the video.

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