STATEMENT ON THE MEMPHIS POLICE KILLING OF TYRE NICHOLS

We are enraged and saddened by the brutal Memphis police killing of Tyre Nichols. Tyre was a son, father, brother, friend, and human being. He should be alive tonight with his family.

The inhumane culture rampant throughout American policing must end. The contents of the video are vicious, reprehensible, and reflective of the worst of humanity's capacity for harm. We are yet again disappointed, but not surprised, by the actions of powerful individuals sworn to protect and keep safe members of our community. This has been proven time and time again to not be true. How can we continue to believe the institution of policing will work differently than it has?

What makes our democracy work is it's a system of laws that we have all agreed to follow, including police officers. In our current system, do those who are responsible for the protection of the community fall beyond these laws?

We know, too, from lived experience, that brutal treatment is more likely to be thrust upon our Black community members. In the video, Tyre Nichols was running away, for his own personal safety.

It is a travesty that Tyre Nichols is dead. We ask our community: is the police state in its current existence today keeping people safe?

When horrors like this are brought to light, ARC holds tight to its community, and hopes to bring one another healing, support, and the power to change laws and systems we see to be unjust. Please reach out to your loved ones, and we hope to connect with you during this time.

Sincerely,

Sam Lewis
Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC)