Nationwide Protests Call For , Police Reform , After the Death of Tyre Nichols.
On January 28, hundreds of demonstrators
took to the streets of Memphis demanding
justice, accountability and police reform.
NBC reports that the protests were driven by newly
released body camera footage showing the brutal
beating of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police.
Protestors voiced frustration over a long history of police
violence, corruption and the need to disband several
Memphis Police Department (MPD) tactical units.
On January 27, body camera video of police
officers savagely beating Nichols, who died
three days later, was released to the public.
The release of the footage
taken on January 7 sparked
protests across the U.S. .
Mostly peaceful demonstrations took place in a number of cities across the country, including in Atlanta, Boston and Charlotte, North Carolina. .
Five police officers belonging to a police
tactical unit were fired and now face
charges of second-degree murder. .
The Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in
Our Neighborhoods, or SCORPION, tactical unit
was also disbanded by the police department.
In the process of listening intently
to the family of Tyre Nichols, community
leaders, and the uninvolved officers who
have done quality work in their assignment,
it is in the best interest of all to permanently
deactivate the SCORPION Unit, Memphis Police Department, via NBC.
NBC reports that the tactical unit was formed
in 2021 as the city's murder rate was skyrocketing
and the community was calling for action.
NBC reports that the tactical unit was formed
in 2021 as the city's murder rate was skyrocketing
and the community was calling for action