Tyre Nichols’s mum says ‘blood will be on hands’ of Congress if bill limiting police officer immunity not passed | World News

Mother Tyra Nichols said “blood will be on the hands” of the men and women of Congress unless they pass a law that limits the immunity of U.S. police officers.

Vice President Kamala Harris and prominent human rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Police Justice Act at Mr. Nichols’ funeral today in Memphis.

Rowan Wells, the mother of a 29-year-old who died three days after being beaten by police, said: “We have to pass this law. The next child will die, blood will be on his hands.”

She paid tribute to her son by saying, “Tyr was a handsome man and what happened to him is unimaginable.

“The only thing holding me back is the thought that my son was sent here on a mission from God. I think now his task is done, and he was taken home.

Mr. Nichols’ brothers and sisters also paid tribute to their brother. His sister said, “He was robbed of his life, his passions and his talents, but not his light.”

When she heard the news, she said, “I lost my faith, I cried, I screamed at God, asking how he could let this happen.”

“My screams turned into anger and my anger turned into deep sadness when these monsters killed my little brother. They left me completely heartbroken.

“My family will never be the same and I will always love my little brother forever.”

After Reverend Al Sharpton invited her to the pulpit, Kamala Harris said, “Let our memory of Tire shed light on the path to peace and justice.”

Ms Harris praised the “courage and strength” of the Tyre Nichols family.

“We mourn with you, and the people of this country mourn with you.

“Mothers all over the world, when their children are born, pray to God as they hold this child that this body and this life will be safe for the rest of his life.

“However, we have a mother and father mourning the life of a young man who should be here today.

“They have a grandson who now has no father. His brothers and sisters will lose the love of old age with their little brother.

“When we look at this situation, this is a family that lost their son and brother in an act of violence at the hands and feet of the people who were tasked with keeping them safe,” she said.

“Didn’t he also have a right to security?”

Renowned human rights activist Reverend Al Sharpton criticized the policemen who beat Tyre Nichols.

Recalling the death of Martin Luther King in Memphis 55 years ago, when he campaigned for the rights of black workers, he asked: “In the city where the dreamer was killed, what happened to the dream?”

“Five black men who wouldn’t have a job in the police department, who would never be thought to be in an elite squad in the city where Dr. King died, not far from that balcony, you beat your brother. to death.

“There is nothing more offensive and insulting. You did not get into the police station yourself, the chief of police did not get there himself. People had to march and go to jail, and some died to open the doors for you. .

“How dare you act like this sacrifice was in vain,” he said.

Among the hundreds of mourners at the church were the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, who were killed by police officers in 2020, as well as Oscar-winning director Spike Lee.

Photos taken by Mr. Nichols, as well as images of him as a child and his favorite hobby of skateboarding, were shown to the mourners, along with a quote attributed to the 29-year-old: “My vision is to take my viewers deeply into what I am. I see through my eye and through my lens.”

The funeral was held at a Christian church on Mississippi Boulevard in Memphis as the church choir sang the chorus of “we love you Tyr” as mourners entered the church.

Mr. Nichols’ black coffin was draped with a white bouquet of flowers, and a painting of Martin Luther King and other prominent personalities and slogans was placed next to it.

Tiffany Randal, mother of Jalen Randle, 29, who was shot by a police officer in Houston in 2022, dedicated the song to Mr. Nichols’ family, saying, “I pray that God will heal your broken heart. We fight together.

“All mothers around the world need to come together and stop all of this,” she said.

Several Memphis police officers brutally beat Nichols, 29, with fists, kicks and batons after he was pulled over at a bus stop on January 7.

So far, five police officers have been charged with second-degree murder and fired, while two other police officers have been suspended from their duties.

The Memphis Fire Department also fired three employees after an investigation found that Mr. Nichols remained without medical attention for almost 15 minutes after the attack.

Protests also took place in several US cities after footage of the attack was released.