On Tuesday evening local time, a memorial service was held for 29-year-old Tire Nichols. Nichols died after being subjected to severe violence by several police officers on January 7.
The memorial service was held in the historic Memphis church Mason Temple, which is also the place where Martin Luther King gave his very last speech before he was killed in 1968.
That made it extra special for those left behind.
In the background, friends and family held up pictures of Nichols. The pictures showed the father of the toddler lying unconscious in the hospital shortly before he died.
“I am a man”, it was written in thick red letters on all the pictures.
“I AM A MAN”: Family, friends and activists gathered at Mason Temple to remember Tire Nichols. Around the altar, the bereaved stood and held up this picture of Nichols. Photo: Alyssa Pointer/Reuters
– The whole world saw this man being beaten to death by people who should actually have protected him, says civil rights campaigner Al Sharpton during the memorial service.
Jamal Dupree, Nichol’s brother, says that all his life he has felt a hatred towards the city where his brother was eventually killed.
MOM: RowVaughn Wells, Nichols’ mom. Photo: Alyssa Pointer/Reuters
– I hate that I wasn’t here when it happened. Even though I’ve fought all my life, I couldn’t fight for you. I wasn’t there. But now I will be here – for the others, for our stepfather and for mum.
On Wednesday 1 February, the bereaved will say a final goodbye to Tyra Nichols. Several high-profile Americans will be present, including Vice President Kamala Harris.
Video was released
It was on January 7 that 29-year-old Tire Nichols was stopped by the police in Memphis in the United States. Nichols was then dragged out of the car and subjected to violence.
Nichols died in hospital three days later.
At the end of January, the police published video of the incident.
In the video, Nichols is seen to be subjected to blows, strong kicks to the head and electric shocks by the police at the scene.
DEATH: Here, Tire Nichols is arrested and subjected to violence by several police officers. Nichols died from his injuries a few days later. Photo: Police / AP
Five police officers were fired before the video of the violent incident was even released. They are charged with several counts, including murder, assault and abduction.
More and more accused
In recent days, the number of suspects and accused persons has come like pearls on a string.
On Monday, it became known that a further three people had lost their jobs as a result of the incident. These worked as medical personnel for the fire service. According to the preliminary investigation, the staff should not have done a good enough patient assessment of Nichols when he was found bruised in Memphis on January 7.
That same evening, another police officer was fired. No charges have been brought against the person concerned.
According to AP, a seventh officer has also been suspended late on Monday evening. It is unclear who the officer is and what role he has in the case.
JUSTICE: The murder of Nichols has again put police violence on the agenda. Photo: Eduardo Munoz/AFP
The murder of the 29-year-old father of young children has created enormous commitment and anger in the United States, where several people are now advocating for a change in the police in the country.
