United States of America - January 2023

The death of Tyre Nichols, days after a severe beating from Memphis police officers, has triggered renewed calls for police reform. Mr. Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, had been pulled over in a traffic stop. Footage released by authorities reveals that Mr. Nichols was repeatedly and seriously beaten for over three minutes. Five police officers, who are also Black men, have been indicted and charged with several crimes including second-degree murder. Other officials and emergency services personnel have been either dismissed or subject to administrative measures. 

An independent investigation by the Department of Justice was announced by the city’s Mayor. A unit of Memphis police, accused of intimidating mainly young Black men, has also been disbanded. Activists and members of Congress have renewed their calls for legislation to address police brutality, including the revival of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act that stalled in Congress after bipartisan negotiations failed to reach an agreement in 2021. Human Rights Watch has highlighted the structural problems in policing and lack of accountability for the disproportionate use of force against Black people, who are three times more likely to be killed than white people, at the hands of police.

Sources: The New York Times, National Public Radio, Al Jazeera, Human Rights Watch