Chattanooga NAACP endorses Tyre Nichols inspired bill

CHATTANOOGA (WDEF) – The local branch of the NAACP is supporting a call from the family of the man killed in Memphis by police officers for a new piece of legislation.

Members of the state and Memphis NAACP proposed the Tyre Nichols Criminal Justice Reform Bill on Sunday.

They say the bill has already been filed in the Tennessee legislature.

On Monday, Chattanooga’s branch endorsed it in the following statement:

The world was shocked to see agents of law enforcement, who are sworn to protect the people in their area, fall to behavior that caused the death of 29-year-old Tyre Nichols. The family of Tyre Nichols has our sympathy and support for the Tyre Nichols Criminal Justice Reform Bill. The Chattanooga Hamilton County NAACP join with the Tennessee State NAACP President Gloria Sweet-Love to call for legislation at the national and state levels of the USA that sets enforceable standards for law enforcement. Qualified immunity for any group that has life and death in their hands should not exist.

We commend Chief Davis of Memphis, Tennessee for her swift action to seek the information necessary to determine the proper action. After Chief Davis made the supervisory call, the Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy exercised his authority. All entities working together results in an equitable society void of an unacceptable culture in law enforcement.
Further, the activists who are demonstrating have power that leads to change. Demonstration should come with requests to change the environment that leads to denying individuals their rights to fair and equal justice under the law.

The NAACP is an advocate for the rights of the people and invite others to join with us in the advocacy work in our community. To start, there should exist an active community oversight board with subpoena power. Individuals should make calls to the state and national representatives demanding that appropriate changes must be made to have an acceptable law enforcement culture. Finally, exercise your right to cast a vote at the ballot box to elect those who truly work for the people. The National association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909 and maintains advocacy programs that are in tune with the needs of the people. The Chattanooga Hamilton County Branch of the NAACP was organized in 1940.

Reverend Ann Pierre, President

Chattanooga Hamilton Branch NAACP