Statement On Tyre Nichols From BBT Executive Director Director Danielle Melfi

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2023
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]

STATEMENT ON TYRE NICHOLS FROM BBT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE MELFI

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Building Back Together Executive Director Danielle Melfi released the following statement on Tyre Nichols:

“The video released of the beating that led to Tyre Nichols’ death is disgusting, brutal, and horrifyingly familiar. We share in the outrage and pain at this footage, and remember Tyre for the life he lived; he was a devoted son, brother, and father, and a beloved member of the Memphis community. He should be alive today – as should countless victims of police brutality going back decades, an overwhelming number of them Black Americans. Turning a blind eye to this generational injustice is unacceptable, and Tyre and his family deserve swift justice. Every American should be treated fairly and with dignity when interacting with police. Tyre’s death is a gut-wrenching reminder that we have a long way to go in making that a reality.  

“President Biden and Vice President Harris have led on this issue, including through an executive order on justice and policing, but as they have said many times, this is not enough. Congress must pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. We cannot erase generations of trauma; we cannot bring back those whose lives were taken too soon; but we can prevent future deaths and make our country safer for Black Americans. We pray for Tyre’s family, for the city of Memphis, for the Black community, and for our nation. Enough.” 

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