Protests continue for second day in over Tyre Nichols traffic stop video

Demonstrators and activists on Saturday were gearing up to again march on behalf of Tyre Nichols, one day after authorities released video showing the traffic stop beating that culminated in his death.

At a march in Memphis on Saturday, a protester said over a bullhorn: “The unit that killed Tyre has been permanently disbanded.”

The crowd cheered the announcement by Memphis police that it was closing down its Scorpion anti-crime teams. The officers accused of killing Nichols were members of the unit.

Protests were expected in several major cities, including Boston, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Salt Lake City.

Protests broke out nationwide when the video was made public on Friday, the day after five Memphis police officers were arrested and charged with Nichols’ murder.

Nichols was pulled over by Memphis officers, supposedly on suspicion of reckless driving, on Jan. 7 around 8:30 p.m.

The footage shows police officers beating 29-year-old Nichols with batons, kicking him and punching him — even after his hands were restrained — while he questioned what he’s done and called out for help.

Memphis police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis condemned the officers’ treatment of Nichols as “acts that defy humanity.”

Nichols died at the hospital three days after his confrontation with law enforcement.

With News Wire Services