At least two protests were planned to take place in Portland Friday night. That’s in response to the release of videos showing five Memphis police officers beating Tyre Nichols to death earlier this month. Nichols was Black.
Mayor Ted Wheeler called Nichols’ killing “reprehensible” in an afternoon press conference,
“The actions in Memphis do not reflect the values or training of our public safety officials here in Portland,” Wheeler said. “In fact they’re exactly the opposite of the expectations of those entrusted with keeping us safe.”
Wheeler was joined by local Black leaders, including Police Chief Chuck Lovell, Portland NAACP President James Posey and former State Sen. Margaret Carter. Each leader urged Portlanders to remain peaceful.
“I ask Portlanders to express yourself,” said Carter. “But let’s do it in peace, please.”
Carter said that as a Black mother, she understood the grief people were feeling. She asked Portlanders to follow the wishes of Nichols’ family and remain nonviolent.