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'Deeply pained': Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders and other politicians condemn Tyre Nichols' shocking murder

'My heart goes out to Tyre Nichols’ family and to Americans in Memphis who are grieving this painful loss,' Joe Biden said in his statement

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised.

MEMPHIS, NEW YORK: The death of Tyre Nichols has sent shockwaves across the country and prompted calls for widespread rallies against police violence. Five policemen were charged with the 29-year-death old's for allegedly assaulting him during a traffic check earlier this month.

According to a report, in addition to being charged with murder in the second degree, the former cops will also face charges of official oppression, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, and official misconduct. All of these allegations will be brought against them. After the motorist was pulled over for suspected reckless driving, the five officers, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr, and Justin Smith, were terminated from their positions as a result of their failure to intervene, their failure to offer aid to Nichols, and their use of excessive force. 

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A body cam footage of the incident was out to the world yesterday, the video showed how the 29-year-old was chased and brutally beaten. The video also shows officers pepper spraying and tasing him as he shrieked in pain. Nichols, who was completely taken aback, said, "I didn't do anything bro" as the officers continued to scream instructions at him. An attorney who represents Nichols' family stated that Nichols passed away in the hospital three days after being battered like a "human pinata."

As soon as the video went viral, the internet was shocked to see such actions coming from the law enforcement of the country, common people, celebrities, and politicians immediately started reacting to the video.

President Joe Biden released a statement from the White House that said, "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." The statement further reads, "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," the statement concluded.

Martin Luther King III, human rights activist and son of Martin Luther King Jr, tweeted, “I am deeply disturbed by the video released by Memphis Police today. We all witnessed a horrific yet perversely familiar act committed by officers of the law. Everyone involved must be arrested & charged with the murder of Tyre Nichols. His family and our nation deserve justice.” Vermont senator Bernie Sanders tweeted, “Tyre Nichols should be alive. Yes, the police officers who brutally murdered him must be held accountable. But even their conviction on the strongest possible charges cannot bring Tyre back. We must do everything in our power to end police violence against people of colour.” Former 'Wonder Woman' star Lynda Carter tweeted, “What happened to #TyreNichols is an epidemic. We don’t just need justice for one case, but the moral courage to change the system.”

US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote, "The effort to separate the officers who murdered Tyre Nichols from the system of policing that produced them is palpable. Police killings in the US reached a record high in 2022. That has only been rewarded with more funding at the expense of schools, hospitals, housing, & more."  Journalist Jared Beasley tweeted, "Absolutely horrifying... the EMTs as well. My God." Model Larsen Thompson wrote, "Seriously disgusting." Governor Juliana Stratton writes "Not sharing the video. Instead, of sharing this human being’s beautiful smile. Tyre Nichols."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.