WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) — The Wichita Branch NAACP released a statement Friday regarding the release of body camera footage showing the beating of 29-year-old Tire Nichols. Five Memphis Police officers were charged with second-degree murder in the case. Nichols died of his injuries three days after the beating.
In its statement, the Wichita Branch NAACP calls for police reform and says it stands with the Nichols family, the Memphis community and the National NAACP.
“A Call to Action for Police Reform, the Wichita Branch NAACP Wichita stands in solidarity with the Tire Nichols family, the Memphis community and the National NAACP. As we prepare our hearts and minds to process another senseless and traumatic police killing, these events have become all too familiar. This situation demonstrates the power dynamic and barbaric culture underpinning the police. The Wichita NAACP will continue to work with our local, state and national government agencies and legislators to advocate for dramatic change in law enforcement.”
The National NAACP has released the following statement:
“Our country is preparing once again for the release of yet another shocking video of yet another police killing. If anyone needs to see this video, it’s every single leader in Congress. Sit back in your comfy leather chair, watch the video when it’s released and tell us what else you need to vote ‘yes’ on police reform. By failing to write one piece of legislation, you are writing another obituary. By not passing legislation, you convey your sworn duty to protect the people. We know how much you all will think and pray
when the video comes out, there is no need to mention it. Instead, tell us what you plan to do about it. Tell us what you will do to honor Tire Nichols. Tell us what you will do to show her family, her loving son and the entire nation that her life was not lost in vain. We can name all the victims of police violence, but we can’t name a single law you’ve passed to address it.
