The Congressional Black Caucus is requesting a sit down with President Joe Biden following the release of the body cam footage showing Memphis police officers brutally beating Tyre Nichols. The CBC is looking to discuss reforms to the justice system with the president.
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV) is the chairman of the caucus, and he shared a statement on Sunday stressing the importance of taking this moment in time seriously.
“CBC is requesting a meeting with the President this week to push for negotiations on much-needed national reforms to our justice system – specifically, the actions and conduct of our law enforcement,” Horsford said.
Lawmakers have condemned the “brutal and violent killing” of Nichols, who was only 29 years old. The video of the encounter with police that cost him his life was released by the department last Friday and sparked protests demanding change across the country.
Now lawmakers are looking to revisit the topic of law enforcement conduct, including looking at the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act once more. The legislation would try and stop racial profiling and tie federal aid to officer conduct.
Biden has been vocal about the killing, saying last week that he is “outraged and deeply pained” by the video of Nichols being beaten by officers. Biden called and spoke with Nichols’ family, sharing his sympathy with them. The president also called on Congress to pass the police reform act.
Horsford shared in his statement that the brutal beating and death of Nichols is a “grim reminder that we still have a long way to go in solving systemic police violence in America.”
“No one in our nation should fear interacting with the police officers who serve our diverse communities, large and small,” Horsford said. “We all want to be safe. Many Black and brown people, however, and many young people in general, are justifiably afraid to interact with law enforcement officials.”
The Representative continued by saying the CBC is “calling on our colleagues in the House and Senate to jumpstart negotiations now and work with us to address the public health epidemic of police violence that disproportionately affects many of our communities.”
The five officers responsible for the beating were fired by the department on Jan. 18, 11 days after their encounter with Nichols. They have since been charged with second-degree murder.
On Monday, a sixth officer was fired by the department, as the investigation into the killing remains ongoing.
“He was relieved of duty with the other officers,” Memphis police Maj. Karen Rudolph said Monday. “Remember, we said this investigation is ongoing. More information will be shared as it develops.”
The result of the investigation will also lead to whether or not more charges are brought against the officers, according to a statement shared with CNN from Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.
Mulroy noted that while the initial charges came at an “unprecedented” speed, “we are going to need time to allow the investigation to go forward and further consideration of charges.”
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