Politicians and activists have renewed calls to keep law enforcement accountable and reform the system at Tyre Nichols‘ funeral service on Wednesday, February 1. Passionate remarks and more insights into Nichols’ life before his death were revealed at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis.
Vice President Kamala Harris, Rev. Al Sharpton, and civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump spoke during the service while advocating for change to prevent more deaths from police brutality. Rev. Dr. J. Lawrence Turner, the pastor of the church, opened the service with his own speech.
“We serve notice to this nation that the rerun of this episode, that makes Black lives hashtags, has been canceled and will not be renewed for another season,” he said. “We are going to overcome this struggle for justice for our brother Tyre Nichols.”
The program also showcased Nichols’ photography work, which included the lovely sunsets his family says he adored. According to his website, which features his photos, the 29-year-old said photography helped him “look at the world in a more creative way.”
Vice President Harris then took the stage, telling Nichols’ family that Americans “mourn with you.” She also called on Congress to pass the “George Floyd Justice in Policing Act,” which would trigger sweeping police reform in the country.
“Mothers around the world, when their babies are born, pray to God that when they hold that child, that body and that life will be safe for the rest of his life. Yet, we have a mother and a father who mourn the life of a young man who should be here today,” she said. “As Vice President of the United States, we demand that Congress pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Joe Biden will sign it and we should not delay and we will not be denied. It is non-negotiable.”
Next was Rev. Sharpton to…
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