Garland Urges Peaceful Protests in Memphis Over Tyre Nichols Death

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland urges peaceful and nonviolent protest as the city of Memphis and the nation are bracing for the release of a police video depicting five officers viciously beating Tyre Nichols, a Black man whose death prompted murder charges against them, and outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality.

Garland in a press conference Friday, offered condolences to the family of Nichols and repeated their calls for nonviolent demonstrations.

I want to give my deepest condolences to Tyree Nichols family. I can't imagine the feelings that parents must feel under these circumstances," he said.

He added, "I do want to say, and I want to repeat what the family has said, that expressions of concern when people see this video, we urge that they be peaceful and nonviolent. That is what the family has urged and that of course is what the Justice Department urges as well."

The attorney general said he had not seen the video, but he had been briefed on it.

FBI Director Christopher Wray said after seeing the video that he was appalled.

"I was appalled. I'm struggling to find a stronger word, but I would just tell you I was appalled," he said.

The officers were charged Thursday with murder and other crimes in the killing of Nichols, a motorist who died three days after a confrontation with the officers during a traffic stop on Jan. 7.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy told a news conference that although the officers each played different roles in the killing, "they are all responsible."

The officers, who are all Black, each face charges of second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct,and official oppression

Attorneys for the family of Nichols say officers beat Nichols for three minutes in a "savage" encounter reminiscent of the infamous 1991 police beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King.

Attorney Ben Crump said Monday that police body camera video viewed by the family showed that Nichols was shocked, pepper-sprayed, and restrained after the 29-year-old FedEx worker and father was pulled over Jan. 7.

Nichols' family agreed with investigators' request to wait a week or two before the video is made public.

Bloomberg Quicktake brings you live global news and original shows spanning business, technology, politics and culture. Make sense of the stories changing your business and your world.

Connect with us on…

[FlyTyBlizzy]

400 years of terror but you want a peaceful protest 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[ewetoobblows]

I urge that law enforcement be peaceful and not violent. TRESONOUS TYRANTS

[markmaurer]

Maybe he could beg the police to be peaceful... I don't think we're the ones who have a problem with violence.

[realbhopwood]

Have he seen the 14, 000 hours from Jan6? Because the ones in the gallows should be heard 3 years later.

[arturocontreras]

Maybe look at the video...and after see if you want to protest in peace.

[helenboula]

It is a damn shame this happened to this young man then I'll tell you one damn thing all those five cops they should spend the rest of their life in prison. And to think the boy is gone for nothing and wants the family has to deal with now for the rest of their lives. But I'm sure they'll have all kind of accidents

[wesleyjolla]

I would like to see him be more vocal on issues.

[TheMexicanObserver]

Oh common... You are going to be interviewed about a video and you haven't seen it? It takes 30 sec to see how they're beating Tyre

[abrahamadrian]

You should see it, it’s your job; you’re the top cop ; wtf you haven’t seen it; you think we want to see that shit ?

[lionelbarrera]

Gives a press conference but hasn’t seen the video. Yeah ok

[sirleroyale]

This is too funny their projecting a riot to happen

[helenboula]

Let me add the news travels fast in prisons even though they keep them an isolated area they will get to them they truly will, and as far as the the guards go in the prison there on the take everyday and these police officers know it they're scared to death as they should be.

[laurabealmear]

Memphis police chief and DA acted correctly and quickly, this is what’s needed! All police officers should be better trained and better paid

[SSeryth]

You’d never think a black police officer would do this to their own kin

But guess even they’ve turned bad

[brendaurbanski]

Don't worry. They have the right pedigree. They can destroy all they want.

[markthompson]

Ya good luck with a peaceful protest Memphis