More protests today after a video emerged depicting the fatal beating of Tire Nichols by police

Editor’s note: This article contains graphic videos and descriptions of the violence.

CNN
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Protesters across the United States were holding marches and rallies on Saturday, a day after video emerged showing the horrific beating of Tire Nichols by police in Memphis.

Graphic police video beating the black man who died later earlier this month sparked outrage across the country. Demonstrations began to form on Friday evening, with residents of several cities taking to the streets and holding signs bearing Nichols’ name.

Saturday’s marches and rallies were expected in Memphis, Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Salt Lake City, Athens, Georgia and Columbus, Ohio, among other cities. Most will take place in the afternoon or evening.

On Saturday, protesters near Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta repeated Nichols’ name and demanded justice. They then marched through the city center.

In Memphis, protesters closed a bridge on Interstate 55 near downtown on Friday night, chanting “No justice, no peace,” according to a CNN crew on site. There were no arrests following the protest, police said.

Memphis City Councilwoman Michalyn Easter-Thomas told CNN’s Boris Sanchez on Saturday that before the video was released, there were fears of violent protests due to lack of police accountability for previous incidents.

“And I think last night we saw a very peaceful and direct sense of protest in the city of Memphis, and I think that’s because maybe we have faith and hope that the system will get it right this time,” Easter- said Thomas.

Five Memphis officers have been fired and charged in Nichols’ death.

In New York, skirmishes broke out between several protesters and police as protesters swarmed Times Square, video posted on social media.

Three protesters were arrested, one of whom was seen jumping on the hood of a police vehicle and smashing the windshield, the New York Police Department said.

Protesters also gathered in Washington, DC, at Lafayette Square to demand justice for Nichols, according to video on social media.

Along the West Coast, protesters marched in Portland, Oregon and San Francisco carrying signs that read “Justice for Tire Nichols” and “jail killer cops.”

Video of the Jan. 7 encounter shows “acts that defy humanity,” Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis warned before the footage was released to the public. Nichols died on January 10.

The arrest begins with a traffic stop for what officers say was reckless driving and goes on to show officers beating Nichols with batons, kicking and punching him – including while his hands are restrained behind his body – while the young man cries for his mother, watch the video.

The encounter ends with Nichols slumped to the ground in handcuffs, leaning against an unattended police car as officers bustle around. Nichols was then hospitalized and died three days later.

Video shows 23 minutes had passed from when Nichols appeared to be subdued and on his back on the ground before a stretcher arrived on the scene.

Footage of the violent encounter was released because Nichols’ family “wants the world to be their witness and feel their pain,” Shelby County District Attorney Steven Mulroy said.

“While nothing we do can bring Tyr back, we promise that we will do everything we can to ensure Tyr’s family and our city of Memphis get justice for Tire Nichols,” Mulroy added.

The Memphis Police Department was unable to find anything to substantiate probable cause for the reckless driving and said video of the encounter shows a ‘disregard for life, the duty of care we all owe sworn”. Davis said.

Five former Memphis police officers involved in the arrest — who are also black — have been charged with second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Shelby County prosecutor. They have been identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin and Desmond Mills Jr.

Two Memphis Fire Department employees who were part of Nichols’ initial care have been relieved of their duties, pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

Additionally, two Shelby County Sheriff’s Office deputies were placed on leave pending an investigation after the sheriff viewed the video.

The Memphis Police Association, which represents the city’s police officers, expressed its condolences to the Nichols family and said it does not condone the mistreatment of citizens or abuse of power.

The association said it has “confidence in the criminal justice system”.

“This faith is what we will rely on in the days, weeks and months to come to ensure that the full circumstances are revealed,” according to a statement. “Mr. Nichols’ family, the city of Memphis and the rest of the country deserve nothing less. We pray for justice, healing and eventual closure for everyone involved.

According to Easter-Thomas, next week’s city council meeting will be “robust.”

Easter-Thomas said she wants to make sure the police department knows the council has their backs, but expects officers to do their job with the “utmost fidelity”.

‘We all knew fate’: Memphis lawmaker emotionally describes Nichols video

The Memphis police chief compared the video to the beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police in 1991, which sparked days of unrest in the city.

“I was on law enforcement during the Rodney King incident, and it’s very much in line with that same type of behavior,” Davis said.

Nichols family attorney Ben Crump also made the comparison. “Being mugged, beaten, punched, kicked, tasered, pepper sprayed. It is very disturbing,” he said.

“The only difference between my dad’s situation and now is the hashtags and a clearer camera,” Rodney King’s daughter, Lora King, told CNN. “We have to do better, this is unacceptable.”

“I don’t think anyone in their right mind, anyone who respects humanity would agree with that,” she said, adding that she was saddened for Nichols’ family and loved ones. “I’m just sad because where we are in America, we’re still here. I’m in disbelief.

A protest over Nichols’ death is scheduled for Saturday in Los Angeles.

Memphis City Council President Martavius ​​Jones was emotional discussing the video with CNN’s Don Lemon on Friday.

“It was a traffic stop,” Jones said. “It wasn’t supposed to end like this.”

U.S. Representative Steve Cohen, who represents parts of Memphis, said the video “is overwhelming to watch.”

“They weren’t there to serve and protect, or even apprehend; they were there to punish and dominate,” he said.

President Joe Biden said he was “outraged and deeply pained” after seeing the video. “This is yet another painful reminder of the deep fear and trauma, pain and exhaustion that black and brown Americans experience every day.”

Governors across the aisle also expressed outrage at the violent encounter.