AKRON, Ohio — Tyre Nichols’ family is asking for peace during any demonstrations that follow the Friday evening release of the bodycam and dash video of his interaction with Memphis police.
What You Need To Know
- The family of Jayland Walker also asked for peace after he was shot and killed by Akron police officers in June
- Rev. Raymond Greene with the Freedom BLOC said he is sending love to Memphis following the death of Tyre Nichols
- Greene said he hopes to see a coalition of activists emerge from Memphis with a list of demands for justice
In northeast Ohio, the family of Jayland Walker also asked for peace during demonstrations over his shooting death by Akron police officers in June.
Reverend Raymond Greene with the Freedom BLOC, an Akron collaborative created to empower the Black community, said he is sending love to Memphis as they cope with this loss and the video of what prosecutors say led to Nichols' death.
"To the city that's going to have to grieve and pick up the pieces after another tragedy and the killing of another Black man, I just send my heart and prayers and thoughts to them,” he said. “And then we look at this as another opportunity to continue to talk about the abolition of police."
The Freedom BLOC took a non-violent approach in seeking justice for Walker, who was shot more than 40 times by Akron Police over the summer, but Greene said he can't tell others how to respond to what he considers police brutality.
"We can't continue to tell people to be non-violent, when violence is thrust upon them at every turn,” Greene said.
As protestors begin to organize, Nichols' family said it wants the community to remain calm, even if emotions run high as people view the video.
Greene said he hopes to see a coalition of activists emerge from Memphis with a list of demands for justice and that he'll continue to support the community through this difficult time.