D.C. organizations, including Party for Socialism and Liberation, gathered in the District Friday evening amid the video release of the Jan. 7 traffic stop that lead to the death of Tyre Nichols on Jan 10.
This particular rally, calling for the "Justice of Tyre Nichols" took place at Lafayette Square.
Meanwhile, D.C. Police blocked off K Street between 12th and 13th Streets for a small protest led by local group Harriet's Wildest Dreams.
President Joe Biden released the following statement after the video was released:
"Like so many, I was outraged and deeply pained to see the horrific video of the beating that resulted in Tyre Nichols’ death. It is yet another painful reminder of the profound fear and trauma, the pain, and the exhaustion that Black and Brown Americans experience every single day.
My heart goes out to Tyre Nichols’ family and to Americans in Memphis and across the country who are grieving this tremendously painful loss. The footage that was released this evening will leave people justifiably outraged. Those who seek justice should not to resort to violence or destruction. Violence is never acceptable; it is illegal and destructive. I join Mr. Nichols’ family in calling for peaceful protest.
I spoke with RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, Mr. Nichols’ mother and stepfather, this afternoon. There are no words to describe the heartbreak and grief of losing a beloved child and young father. Nothing can bring Mr. Nichols back to his family and the Memphis community. But Mr. and Mrs. Wells, Mr. Nichols’ son, and his whole family deserve a swift, full, and transparent investigation.
We must do everything in our power to ensure our criminal justice system lives up to the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment, and dignity for all. Real and lasting change will only come if we take action to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again. That is why I called on Congress to send the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act to my desk. When Senate Republicans blocked that bill, I signed an executive order that mandated stricter use of force standards and accountability provisions for federal law enforcement, as well as measures to strengthen accountability at the state and local level."
MPD preps for crowds
Metropolitan Police Department released a statement Thursday stating they prepared for possible protests following the release of body camera footage.
"The Metropolitan Police Department has been briefed from law enforcement partners regarding five officers who have been fired and charged in Memphis Tennessee," MPD said in a statement to 7News. "We understand that a video will be released and contains disturbing content that does not represent the values that any law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold."
"The Metropolitan Police Department has fully activated all sworn personnel in preparation for possible First Amendment activities in the District of Columbia," police continued.
"MPD respects the community’s First Amendment right to demonstrate and peacefully protest. We will not tolerate any unlawful behavior during First Amendment demonstrations, and we will take swift law enforcement action should anyone break the law," they say. "MPD encourages the public to remain vigilant, if you see something, say something. Report immediate suspicious activity by calling 911."
Background on the Tyre Nichols incident
Five Memphis police officers were charged in the murder of the 29-year-old Black FedEx worker.
Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Desmond Mills, Jr., Emmitt Martin III and Justin Smith are in custody, according to Shelby County Sheriff's Office. They were all charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy told a news conference that although the officers each played different roles in the killing, “they are all responsible.”
Nichols died three days after the alleged beating.
Memphis police issued a statement on Jan. 23 after they met with the Nichols family. In that meeting, they showed them the video of the former officers' confrontation with Nichols.
The Nichols family and their lawyers say the footage shows officers savagely beating the 29-year-old FedEx worker for three minutes in an assault that the legal team likened to the infamous 1991 police beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King.
At the White House, President Joe Biden said the Nichols family and the city of Memphis deserve “a swift, full and transparent investigation.”
“Public trust is the foundation of public safety, and there are still too many places in America today where the bonds of trust are frayed or broken,” Biden said in a statement.
The Memphis police chief has called the officers' actions that night “heinous, reckless and inhumane."