Vice President Kamala Harris on the death of Tyre Nichols

Vice President Kamala Harris released the following statement on the death of Tyre Nichols after the release of the video footage showing the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis Police officers:

Memphis Grizzlies release statement on the death of Tyre Nichols

The NBA's Memphis Grizzlies released the following statement on the death of Tyre Nichols after the release of the video footage showing the brutal beating he endured at the hands of Memphis Police officers:

#JusticeForTyre pic.twitter.com/gYY8AgCVbd

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 27, 2023

Statement from United States Attorney Kevin G. Ritz on federal civil rights investigation into death of Tyre Nichols

Kevin G. Ritz, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, issued the following statement on opening a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Tyre Nichols:

“Last week, we announced that the United States had opened a federal civil rights investigation 
into the circumstances leading to the tragic death of Tyre Nichols.

Earlier this week I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Nichols's mother, father, grandmother, and 
aunt. I had the privilege of hearing from them about Tyre, a young man who enjoyed skateboarding, 
Starbucks, and sunsets at Shelby Farms.

I would like to share with the community what I told Mr. Nichols's family. What I said was that the 
Department of Justice cares deeply about potential violations of constitutional rights, here in 
Memphis and throughout America. I said we have opened a criminal civil rights investigation. I told 
them this federal civil rights investigation will be thorough. It will be methodical. And it will 
continue until we gather all the relevant facts. As with any other federal investigation, we will 
go where those facts take us.

I delivered that message to them. I want this community to hear that message as well. As I told Mr. 
Nichols's family, our federal investigation may take some time. These things often do. But we will 
be diligent, and we will make decisions based on the facts and the law.

My office is working hand in hand with the Civil Rights Division in Washington, as well as the FBI 
and other law enforcement partners. Our team includes very experienced federal prosecutors from our 
office here in Memphis. It includes very experienced FBI agents from the FBI's Memphis Field 
Office. It also includes a very experienced attorney from the Civil Rights Division.

We have been in constant, very constructive communication with the Shelby County District Attorney 
and state and local law enforcement agencies about this case. I am
thankful for that, and I expect that to continue.

Finally, I know there is significant public interest in the release of the video that was shown to 
Mr. Nichols's family. The state and local authorities have responsibility for determining when to 
release video from this incident to the public. What I will say on behalf of the federal 
authorities is that we want people to express their right to be heard, but we want them to do so in 
a peaceful and non-violent way.

I'll close by saying that I grew up in this city and care deeply about it. I want this city to be a 
place where justice is done. The United States is committed to following the facts and the law, 
guided by principles of justice every step of the way.”

MPD Chief C.J. Davis speaks out for the first time on Tyre Nichols death

Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis said in a statement posted to MPD's social media accounts that the five officers fired on Friday were "directly involved in the physical abuse" that led to Nichols' death, and that more officers were under investigation for department violations.

Watch her statement below:

Sen. Cory Booker Reintroduces Legislation to Form Commission for Study of Reparation Proposals for African Americans

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced S.40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act, legislation that would establish a commission to consider proposals for reparations for African American descendants of slavery. The legislation is the Senate companion to H.R. 40, introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18).

The Commission will study the impact of slavery and the continuing discrimination against African-Americans and will make recommendations on reparation proposals for the descendants of slaves.

“Our nation must reckon with its dark past of slavery and its continued oppression of African Americans, fueled by white supremacy and racism,” said Senator Booker. “Many of our bedrock domestic policies that have ushered millions of Americans into the middle class have systematically excluded Black individuals. I urge my colleagues to support this bill that will address the institutional racism that has suppressed African Americans prosperity throughout our history and bring our country one step closer to our founding principles of liberty and justice for all.”

“I am pleased to thank Senator Cory Booker for introducing the Senate version of the Commission to Study Slavery and Develop Reparations Proposals Act. His introduction of this bill in the Senate is pivotal to the success of this legislation in the 118th Congress. I'm further pleased that Senator Booker, with his storied history of civil rights leadership, sees the value of legislation that takes a historical look at slavery and then works collectively to assess the repair for that era in American history. I believe that the Commission to Study Slavery and Develop Reparation Proposals Act is a crucial piece of legislation that will complement the House version, HR 40. This legislation, both the House and Senate version, goes beyond exploring the economic implications of slavery and segregation but is a holistic approach to reconciling that period of American history. This bill will allow for a moral and social overview of the implications of slavery and the status of African Americans today. I look forward to working with Senator Booker in a bipartisan manner to get this bill through the House and Senate and on to the President’s desk. America will truly be the beneficiary!” said Representative Jackson Lee.

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Patty Murray (D-WA).

Over 190 organizations working to advance civil rights in America have endorsed the legislation. A list of those organizations can be found here.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

The House companion bill can be found here.