Joe Biden said Thursday he hoped the death of Tire Nichols, a young African American man who was beaten by officers, would spur Congress to take action to reform the way police work and urged elected black officers to do theirs to “continue” efforts in this regard. Sense.
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The White House meeting between the Democratic president and members of the parliamentary group that brings together elected African Americans took place the day after the funeral of Tire Nichols, who died on April 10.
His death and the unbearable images of the arrest shocked America and provoked a new charge of police brutality.
“I hope this dark memory inspires decisions we all fought to make,” said Joe Biden.
“You must continue your efforts,” the president insisted to elected officials, judging that he had authorized “significant changes” by decree – even if his powers in relation to the police are very limited.
His Democratic camp tried to push through a series of police reforms instituted after the death of George Floyd, but met Republican opposition in the Senate.
The murder of this black man in his 40s, who was choked to death by a white police officer in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, had triggered a huge mobilization against racism and police violence in the United States.
For example, the text provided for a ban on strangulation and attacked the extensive legal immunity of the agents.
After the meeting, House Representative Steven Horsford called the death of Tire Nichols the latest example of the problem of police brutality in the United States.
It “could happen to anyone,” he told reporters.
These black politicians expect Joe Biden to address the issue during Tuesday’s State of the Union address, a traditional address to Congress — and to a sizable television audience.