Tyre Nichols remembered at Memphis funeral service where Kamala Harris, Al Sharpton condemn officers who beat him

Tyre Nichols, whose death after a brutal beating by Memphis cops fueled widespread protests and calls for police reform, was remembered for his selfless spirit and passion for life during a funeral service Wednesday in Memphis.

Vice President Kamala Harris gave an unannounced address during the service at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, condemning the officers for committing violence “not in pursuit of public safety.”

“Mothers around the world, when their babies are born, pray to God when they hold that child that that body and that life will be safe for the rest of his life,” said Harris, the first Black vice president. “Yet we have a mother and a father who mourn the life of a young man who should be here today. They have a grandson who now does not have a father.”

Family and friends of Nichols attended the service, as did relatives of George Floyd, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor and Botham Jean, who were also killed in police encounters. Filmmaker Spike Lee was among those in attendance, too.

The church live-streamed the service, which began 1 p.m. local time and lasted just over two hours, following a delay due to icy conditions.

A service program referenced Nichols’ love of skateboarding, photography, sunsets and helping other people, and highlighted his “infectious smile.” He is survived by a 4-year-old son, Milo, his mother and stepfather and three older siblings.

Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, died Jan. 10, three days after the violent encounter with Memphis officers during a traffic stop.

Since-fired officers Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Justin Smith, Demetrius Haley and Desmond Mills Jr., who are also Black, were charged last week with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.

“In the city that Dr. [Martin Luther] King lost his life ... you beat a brother to death,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said of the officers while delivering Wednesday’s eulogy.

“There’s nothing more insulting and offensive to those of us that fight to open doors, that you walk through those doors and act like the folks we had to fight. ... How dare you act like that sacrifice was for nothing?”

Two other officers have also been relieved of duty, while three emergency responders were fired. Memphis officials on Friday released more than an hour of disturbing footage of the Jan. 7 encounter, showing Nichols screaming for his mother as he was beaten.

Harris and Sharpton on Wednesday urged Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, a 2021 bill designed to fight police misconduct.

“I know we can’t bring Tyre back, but in this call to action, we establish his legacy,” said civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing Nichols’ family. “Let’s never let them forget Memphis, because his legacy will be one of equal justice. It will be the blueprint going forward.”

Nichols was “a beautiful soul” who’s gone too soon, Rev. J. Lawrence Turner said toward the beginning of the service.

“As we celebrate Tyre’s life and comfort this family, we serve notice to this nation that the rerun of this episode that makes Black lives hashtags has been canceled and will not be renewed for another season,” Turner said. “We have come and we shall overcome.”

Protests against police brutality have taken place throughout the U.S., including Memphis and New York, since the video of Nichols’ beating was released. On Sunday, Crump likened the footage to the 1991 video of Rodney King being beaten by Los Angeles cops, calling both incidents “watershed” moments in America.

“I believe [the charged officers] will all be convicted of crimes,” Crump said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“Whether all of them are going to be convicted with murder, we have to continue to dissect this video, but one thing is for certain,” he added. “All of these officers failed their oath. They failed their oath to protect and serve. Look at that video. Was anybody trying to protect and serve Tyre Nichols?”

With News Wire Services