US President Joe Biden called for calm Thursday, a day before the Memphis, Tennessee, police department released body camera footage of a brutal beating by five police officers of Tire Nichols, an African-American motorist. 29 years old.
“Outrage is understandable, but violence is never acceptable,” Biden said in a statement. “Tyre’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.
Memphis and other US cities are reportedly preparing for possible protests.
Nichols died three days after his encounter with officers earlier this month.
The officers, all black, have been charged with second degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. All officers have been fired.
“While each of the five individuals played a different role in the incident in question, the actions of all of them resulted in the death of Tire Nichols. And everyone is responsible,” David Rausch, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, said at a news conference Thursday.
Rausch, who viewed the video, said he found the officers’ behavior “absolutely appalling.”
Cops say they arrested Nichols for reckless driving.
[Parte de la información de este informe 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.
