And we are getting our first look
at more than an hour of footage.
Following the violent beating of
Tyree Nichols, he was pulled over
by Memphis police and then struck,
repeatedly screaming for his
mom before he died. Days later,
the release of the video
sparked protest nationwide,
including here in Atlanta.
You're looking live at Centennial
Olympic Park through Earth Cam.
It was there that protesters
gathered for close to two hours,
but now all is quiet.
11 Alive gathered a diverse group of
journalists from across our newsroom.
Watch the video,
including our own Ron Jones,
my Co anchor,
a former police Sergeant,
and we should point out here folks,
we're not airing the full video,
but we're choosing only to show
a portion of it which adds
context to that encounter.
And we want to warn you,
these video and images are extremely
graphic and disturbing and could
be triggering for some viewers.
Tyree Nichols's mother had a chance
to watch this video of her 29
year old son getting pulled over
by Memphis police on January 7th.
Rovon Wells says she simply couldn't
couldn't bear to see the video,
which the FBI director says is appalling.
Which the Memphis police chief
calls a failing of basic humanity.
Video she knows is horrific because
three days after her son went to the
hospital with injuries from the beating,
Tyree Nichols died and she found
herself praying for the five
former officers now charged with
his murder at the end of the day.
This shouldn't have happened. Early on.
Police said Nichols was pulled
over for alleged reckless driving.
Now they say they see nothing to
substantiate probable cause for the stop.
Officials know this video
will infuriate so many.
Yet Nichols's lawyers say the quick
reaction firing officers filing
charges is the right response.
This is the blueprint going forward.
For anytime, any officers,
whether they be black or white.
Now as the video is made public,
tyrene Nichols's family knows,
people across the country
will gather, they implore
in peace. We do not want any type of uproar.
We do not want any type of disturbance.
We want peaceful protests.
By the way, that was Chris Wynn reporting.
And folks, we just learned just
minutes ago that 2 Shelby County
deputies that responded to that
particular arrest have now been
placed on administrative leave.
And this is according to the
Sheriff's Office. There.
So that's in addition to the five officers
fired and charged in Nichols death.
And tonight the White House said
that President Biden spoke with the
mayors and officials from at least
16 cities about possible protest.
And that includes right here in Atlanta.
And there was a gathering tonight at
Centennial Olympic Park as people responded
to that video being released tonight.
And that's where we find 11 allies.
John Sherrick John joins us live.
John.
A relatively small group of
demonstrators protested here at
Centennial Olympic Park, denouncing
what the video shows of the arrest,
as if speaking for countless others
who are horrified beyond words.
Their outrage expressed in the chance
of the civil rights protests of old.
Against another fatal case of
excessive use of force by police,
about three dozen people wanting
the entire city to join them,
Jan rivers is with democratic
socialists of America.
Siblings. Where are my
Druid hills soccer moms?
Where are my Decatur families?
Where are you? Come out here.
We need change.
And to get change,
we got to stay together.
They're not just condemning
the death of Tyree Nichols.
They're protesting what they believe
is the systemic use of racist,
excessive force by police nationwide.
No matter what the race is of the officers,
Natalie Villasana is with the
party for socialism. And liberation
to see that there are no more
victims of police terror.
We're demanding an end to this
racist police terror that always
targets black working class people.
They disbanded for the night
and Jennifer they say they will
continue rallying protesting this weekend.
John, thank you. And of course,
reactions continue to pour in tonight
from leaders across the nation.
Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock
tweeting we must never accept injustice
and cruelty as the price for public
safety and that we must change
the culture of bias and brutality.
Senator John Ossoff as well,
saying those sworn to protect and
serve must be held to the highest
standards of accountability.
I'm calling for peaceful protests
right now. We have a link to
the full video from the city
of Memphis and a statement.
On our process for choosing the
video that we are showing and you
can find all of that right now
on our website elevenalive.com.