Parents of Tire Nichols call to keep the peace in the face of possible protests in Memphis

The stepfather of Tire Nichols, the 29-year-old man beaten to death after a traffic stop earlier this month, called for peace on Friday, expecting police body camera footage and video to be released. surveillance showing what happened.

Memphis and other US cities were reportedly preparing for potential protests following the video’s release. In Washington, the capital, people are also expected to gather in Lafayette Square to demonstrate, under the hashtag from #JusticeForTyreNichols.

Memphis police reported that Nichols, an African American, was pulled over for alleged reckless driving on January 7. He was assaulted after the arrest and died of his injuries three days later.

Five Memphis police officers, all African-American, were charged Thursday with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression in the incident. All officers have been fired.

US President Joe Biden asked for calm to those who are going to demonstrate on Friday.

“Outrage is understandable, but violence is never acceptable,” Biden said in a statement. “Tire’s death is a painful reminder that we must do more to ensure our criminal justice system delivers on the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment and dignity for all,” he said.

[Parte de la información para este reporte provino de The Associated Press, Reuters y Agence France-Presse]

Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our channel Youtube and activate notifications, or follow us on social networks: Facebook, Twitter and instagram.