Hundreds Protest in Downtown Oakland after Tyre Nichols’ Death
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Thousands of people from across the Bay Area held a protest Sunday in Oakland in wake of the release of Memphis police bodycam footage of the Jan. 7 arrest of Tyre Nichols.
The video of Tyre Nichols’ death was released on Friday after he died at the hands of five Memphis police officers in an incident on Jan. 7. Hundreds participated in a protest Sunday night in downtown Oakland, Kron4 reported.
Communities across the Bay Area protested against police brutality. Broadway Street was closed as a large crowd packed the streets — many with signs in support of Nichols, Kron4 reported.
“Justice For Tyre Nichols,” one sign read. “End police brutality” and “2 many cops, 2 little justice” were seen on other signs.
The five Memphis officers were fired and charged with second-degree murder. They were identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
The San Francisco Chapter of the NAACP and community leaders came together Sunday to discuss the death of Nichols, which has garnered national attention. They all had a similar reaction to seeing the video of the arrest — shock and disgust.
Those leaders include religious leaders, community members and SFPD Chief William Scott. They discussed Nichols’ death and what measures need to be taken to prevent police brutality in the Bay Area.
“It was wrong, and there’s no place for that in this profession,” Scott said.
Retired police captain Yolanda Williams also spoke at the event, saying she was even more disappointed that five Black officers were responsible for the beating.
