(The Guardian) Biden calls for 'meaningful reforms' after Tyre Nichols death
Joe Biden sent condolences to the family of Tyre Nichols in a statement released yesterday, while issuing a vague call for “meaningful reform” of policing, an issue on which he has had mixed success during the first two years of his presidency.
“Jill and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Tyre Nichols and the entire Memphis community. Tyre’s family deserves a swift, full, and transparent investigation into his death,” Biden said. “As Americans grieve, the Department of Justice conducts its investigation, and state authorities continue their work, I join Tyre’s family in calling for peaceful protest. Outrage is understandable, but violence is never acceptable. Violence is destructive and against the law. It has no place in peaceful protests seeking justice.”
He also noted “the fact that fatal encounters with law enforcement have disparately impacted Black and Brown people.” Nichols was Black, as were the five officers charged with murder following his death.
“To deliver real change, we must have accountability when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we need to build lasting trust between law enforcement, the vast majority of whom wear the badge honorably, and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect,” Biden said. He pointed to his failed effort to see the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed, which led him to last year sign an executive order intended to increase police accountability.
The president didn’t call for any specific action following Nichols death, instead closing his statement with, “Today, we all must re-commit ourselves to the critical work that must be done to advance meaningful reforms.”
Joe Biden sent condolences to the family of Tyre Nichols in a statement released yesterday, while issuing a vague call for “meaningful reform” of policing, an issue on which he has had mixed success during the first two years of his presidency.
“Jill and I extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Tyre Nichols and the entire Memphis community. Tyre’s family deserves a swift, full, and transparent investigation into his death,” Biden said. “As Americans grieve, the Department of Justice conducts its investigation, and state authorities continue their work, I join Tyre’s family in calling for peaceful protest. Outrage is understandable, but violence is never acceptable. Violence is destructive and against the law. It has no place in peaceful protests seeking justice.”
He also noted “the fact that fatal encounters with law enforcement have disparately impacted Black and Brown people.” Nichols was Black, as were the five officers charged with murder following his death.
“To deliver real change, we must have accountability when law enforcement officers violate their oaths, and we need to build lasting trust between law enforcement, the vast majority of whom wear the badge honorably, and the communities they are sworn to serve and protect,” Biden said. He pointed to his failed effort to see the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed, which led him to last year sign an executive order intended to increase police accountability.
The president didn’t call for any specific action following Nichols death, instead closing his statement with, “Today, we all must re-commit ourselves to the critical work that must be done to advance meaningful reforms.”
