BLM RI PAC to Host Vigil for Tyre Nichols - Calls Beating "Brazenly Brutal and Grossly Criminal"

BLM RI PAC to Host Vigil for Tyre Nichols - Calls Beating "Brazenly Brutal and Grossly Criminal"

The Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee (BLM RI PAC) announced that it will be hosting a candlelight vigil in memory of Tyre Nichols on Monday at 6 pm on the back steps of the Rhode Island State House. 

"Join us as we honor the life of Tyre Nichols and offer condolences to his family and loved ones," said the organization on Saturday. 

The PAC issued the following statement after the release of police body camera footage from the night that Nichols died following a traffic stop with the Memphis Police Department. 

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"Today, we mourn the loss of Tyre Nichols, a black father and son from Memphis, Tennessee who died as a result of police brutality. The heartbreaking, ungodly and brazenly brutal beating suffered by Nichols not only violates federal & Tennessee state policing protocols but violates Nichols’ civil rights and is grossly criminal. 

We applaud Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy for swiftly indicting all officers involved and are calling for accountability to the fullest extent of the law. No one should ever fear for their life when interacting with the police, our condolences go out to the Nichols family. 

VIDEO: Attack on Tyre Nichols by Memphis Police Released

We urge Rhode Island lawmakers to take bold action and enact legislation that grants municipal police chiefs the autonomy and sole power to discipline their officers when misconduct occurs; which is not currently possible based on the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights (LEOBOR).”