Tyre Nichols protests
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged with 2023 Memphis protests. (Discuss) Proposed since January 2023. |
 | This article documents a current unrest. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (January 2023) |
| Tyre Nichols protests | |
|---|---|
| Part of the 2020–2022 United States racial unrest | |
| Date | January 27, 2023 – present |
| Location | United States |
| Caused by | |
| Methods | Protests, demonstrations |
| Casualties | |
| Arrested | 3 |
The Tyre Nichols protests are an ongoing series of protests that began in Memphis. The protests began following the release of body camera and surveillance footage showing five black Memphis Police Department officers beating Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old black man. The five officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder.
Background
Death of Tyre Nichols
On January 7, 2023, at approximately 8:21 p.m. CDT,[1] five Memphis Police Department (MPD) officers stopped Tyre Nichols on suspicion of reckless driving on the intersection of Raines Road and Ross Road. Nichols began running away from the vehicle, as he began complaining of shortness of breath. An ambulance was called much later. Three days later, Nichols died.[2] On January 24, a preliminary findings from private autopsy commissioned by Nichols' family found that Nichols died from "suffered extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating".[2]
On January 20, the MPD fired the officers involved in the incident. Six days later, they were charged with second-degree murder.[2] The City of Memphis later released body camera and surveillance footage of the encounter on January 27, showing the officers beating Nichols nine times.[3]
Protests
In Memphis
Protests began in Memphis on January 27, upon the release of footage of Nichol's death. Protesters blocked the Harahan Bridge and Interstate 55.[4][5]
Elsewhere in the United States
In Washington, D.C., 75 people gathered in Lafayette Square on January 27, following the release of the footage.[6] Protestors began marching in New York City on the same day.[7] During the protests, a protester jumped on top of a police vehicle and attempted to break its windshield; the protester was taken into custody. The New York Police Department declared that southbound vehicular traffic from 48th Street to 42nd Street, as protesters took to Times Square,[8] and demonstrators gathered in Grand Central Terminal.[9] About a dozen protesters gathered in front of a police station in Chicago, Illinois.[10] Protests followed in other cities, including San Francisco,[11] Dallas,[12] Atlanta, and Detroit.[13] In Boston, protesters gathered in the Boston Common as a vigil was held at The Embrace.[14]
Government response
Georgia governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency, allowing up to 1,000 National Guard troops to be deployed until February 9, in part due to the state's own recent unrest over law enforcement. The Metropolitan Police Department activated "all sworn personnel".[15]
See also
References
- ^ Cardia, Alexander; Kao, Jason; Koettl, Christoph; Lutz, Eleanor; Singhvi, Anjali; Stein, Robin (January 27, 2023). "A Timeline of Tyre Nichols's Lethal Police Encounter". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c Patil, Anushka (January 27, 2023). "Here is a timeline of events in the death of Tyre Nichols". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Hartfield, Elizabeth; Croft, Jay; Bradner, Eric; Ebrahimji, Alisha (January 27, 2023). "Memphis releases video showing police stop that led to Tyre Nichols' death". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Kennedy, Corinne; Amro, Dima; Watts, Micaela (January 27, 2023). "As Tyre Nichols video is released, Memphians gather to protest his death". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Alsup, Dave (January 27, 2023). "Protesters block lanes on a highway near downtown Memphis". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Hermann, Peter; Silverman, Ellie; Williams, Clarence (January 27, 2023). "Demonstrators gather in D.C. as Tyre Nichols video is released". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "New York City protests erupt after release of Tyre Nichols video". NBC News. January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "Protestors surround police car in NYC amid release of Tyre Nichols video". WABC-TV. January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Meko, Hurubie (January 27, 2023). "In New York City, anger and muted protests". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Hauck, Grace; della Cava, Marco; Wong, Kathleen; Cuevas, Eduardo (January 27, 2023). "Protests seen in Chicago, NYC; more expected nationwide after release of Tyre Nichols video in Memphis". USA Today. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Mayer, Phil (January 27, 2023). "Tyre Nichols protest begins in San Francisco". KRON-TV. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Volmert, Isabella; Bahari, Sarah (January 27, 2023). "Tyre Nichols video prompts outrage, peaceful protest in Dallas". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Lozano, Virginia (January 27, 2023). "See protests unfold across the country after release of Tyre Nichols video". NPR. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ "Vigil, protest in Boston as Tyre Nichols police video released in Memphis". CBS News. January 27, 2023. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
- ^ Diaz, Jaclyn; Bowman, Emma; Olson, Emily; Sullivan, Becky (January 27, 2023). "The city of Memphis releases videos of Tyre Nichols' arrest and beating". NPR. Retrieved January 27, 2023.