Tire Nichols, a young African American man who was beaten to death during his arrest, has become the new face of police brutality in the United States. The unbearable video of his arrest inflames Memphis in the grip of the demonstrations. The American President himself reacted to these images.
Images of extreme violence. Video of the arrest was released by Memphis police on Friday, January 27, and five officers have been charged with first-degree manslaughter and assault.
“I didn’t do anything”
Tire Nichols was arrested on January 7 for a traffic violation. Footage shows officers forcing Tire Nichols out of his vehicle. Then we hear the young man exclaim: “I haven’t done anything, I’m just trying to get home.” The police then have him laid on the ground before pepper spraying him.
Tire Nichols then manages to escape and attempts to flee, the police on his heels. In another video broadcast by NewsChannel 5 on Youtube (warning, shocking images), we see the police catch up with the young man before three of them hit him while two others immobilize him.
Joe Biden’s reaction
Tire Nichols died of his injuries in hospital three days after his arrest. “I am outraged and saddened beyond measure after seeing the horrific video of Tire Nichols caning,” Joe Biden said in a statement.
The police officers who arrested Tire Nichols, all African Americans, were released last Saturday and an internal investigation was launched, specifically into excessive use of force.