"Shameful" is how Pastor Wilbur T. Purvis III describes the police beating death of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, TN. Purvis was so affected that, during Sunday services at his Destiny World Church, located in metro Atlanta, he halted worship for what some are calling "a powerful show of Black male solidarity."
Purvis asked the men to leave their seats, lock arms, and form a circle around the perimeter of the sanctuary in support of Tyre Nichols. The result, nearly 200 men coming together to remember the 29 year old who was severely beaten earlier this month and later died. The 5 Memphis police officers blamed for his death are charged with murder. They are all Black.
"It’s one thing to lose a brother to the brutality of the police, it’s worse in this scenario because it was a brother killing a brother." Purvis going on to say "At some point we have to get over our self-hatred.”
Purvis lead the men, some with their male children alongside them, in a Brotherhood Creed. As written, a portion of the creed states I'm PRAYING for you. I’m ROOTING for you. I BELIEVE in you." Followed by If you get tired, Lean on Me. If you need an ear, I’ll listen. If you need a shoulder here is mine. The last portion readsTogether we are in unBREAKable, unSHAKEable and most of all UnStoppable!!! Let’s show the world how a real BROTHER has another Brother’s back.
Destiny World Church is located in Austell, Georgia, about 15 miles west of Atlanta.
Plenty of prayers were uttered in homes, churches, and more after the police video of Nichols' beating was released last week for public viewing. While there were demonstrations in metro Atlanta, there was no violence.