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AFTER FEDERAL CHARGES AGAINST MEMPHIS POLICE OFFICERS WHO KILLED TYRE NICHOLS, REV. AL SHARPTON RENEWS CALLS TO END QUALIFIED IMMUNITY
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Civil Rights Leader Applauds Justice Department for Delivering Federal Accountability for Five Officers Charged with Killing 29-Year-Old Father
New York, NY –– Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), today renewed calls to end qualified immunity for law enforcement in wake of the federal charges brought against the five Memphis police officers who beat Tyre Nichols in January. Rev. Sharpton also applauded the Justice Department for bringing the charges on Tuesday – something he called for in Nichols’ eulogy earlier this year.
“I applaud the Justice Department for answering the call we made at Tyre’s funeral to bring federal civil rights charges against these five officers. The horrific video of his fatal beating is still burned in the minds of many Americans, who were shocked as these men gave him conflicting instructions in between punches and kicks. Now that state and federal charges have been brought, it’s time for the system to do its job in delivering justice for Tyre’s family. They are still in pain, still grieving the loss of a young man who was just trying to get home.
While this is a major step in the right direction, we still need to move the ball forward on ending qualified immunity. Holding those bad actors accountable is important, but we must change the system to prevent them from abusing their power in the first place. Until they know their house, their job, or their pension are at risk, this nation will continue to see Black and Brown Americans killed at the hands of law enforcement. That’s why I’m again calling on Congress to finally pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, so we can end qualified immunity once and for all.”
About National Action Network (NAN)
National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency, and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender.
For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net