Photos: Protests in Memphis after release of video of Tyre Nichols police beating
Authorities released video footage Friday showing Tyre Nichols being beaten by five Memphis police officers who held the Black motorist down and repeatedly struck him with their fists, boots and batons as he screamed for his mother.
Protesters gathered for mostly peaceful demonstrations in multiple cities, including Memphis, where several dozen demonstrators blocked the Interstate 55 bridge that carries traffic over the Mississippi River toward Arkansas.
Protesters march down the street Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., as authorities release police video depicting five Memphis officers beating Tyre Nichols, whose death resulted in murder charges and provoked outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Protesters gather Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., as authorities are set to release police video depicting five Memphis officers beating Tyre Nichols, whose death resulted in murder charges and provoked outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Mikki Chatles sings into a megaphone as demonstrators protest Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
CORRECTS DATE FROM THURSDAY, JAN. 26 TO FRIDAY, JAN. 27 - Nadine Seiler, of Waldorf, Md., demonstrates in Lafayette Park outside the White House in Washington, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Nadine Seiler, of Waldorf, Md., demonstrates in Lafayette Park outside the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Protesters march Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., as authorities release police video depicting five Memphis officers beating Tyre Nichols, whose death resulted in murder charges and provoked outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
An image of Tyre Nichols and the words "JUSTICE FOR TYRE NICHOLS" are projected on to a building as demonstrators protest Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Demonstrators protest Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Demonstrators block K Street NW, and a D.C. Metropolitan Police car is behind, as they protest Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Protesters march Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., as authorities release police video depicting five Memphis officers beating Tyre Nichols, whose death resulted in murder charges and provoked outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Protesters march Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn., as authorities release police video depicting five Memphis officers beating Tyre Nichols, whose death resulted in murder charges and provoked outrage at the country's latest instance of police brutality. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Demonstrators gather Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, to protest over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Demonstrators protest Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Demonstrators hug during a protest Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Demonstrators gather Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, to protest over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Mikki Charles and other demonstrators, gather during a rally, Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, in Washington, to protest over the death of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
On most weekends, Tyre Nichols would head to the city park, train his camera on the sky and wait for the sun to set.
As Memphis police officers attacked Tyre Nichols with their feet, fists and a baton, others held Nichols down or milled about, even as he cried out in pain before his body went limp. Just like the attack on George Floyd, a simple intervention could have saved a life.
Police departments across the country deploy plainclothes squads of officers in unmarked cars to tackle increasing crime rates. But these groups billed by departments as teams of “elite” officers often employ aggressive tactics.
In the years leading up to Tyre Nichols’ deadly arrest, Memphis police were dogged by a confluence of dangerous trends, including a chronic shortage of officers and a struggle to bring in recruits.