By National Action Network
Photos:YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK, NY (May 7, 2025) — Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network (NAN), issued the following statement after three former Memphis police officers were acquitted on state charges over the January 2023 murder of Tyre Nichols.
“This afternoon I spoke to Tyre’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Well, and we are all completely outraged by this acquittal. Mr. Wells noted in our discussion that the prosecution put on a strong case. My understanding is that this is an all-white jury brought in from Chattanooga, and not even the citizens of Memphis, which is even more egregious to me. It is also absurd that the City of Memphis has taken no responsibility, claiming these officers acted on their own, when it was the rough tactics of the since-disbanded VIPER Squad that empowered them to commit this brutal beating as Tyre called out for his mother. Justice can still be delivered. These officers were also convicted on federal charges, for which we believe the justice system must now demand the maximum sentence. Tyre’s death was preventable, inexcusable, and tragic.”
The shocking decision comes as the officers still face federal sentencing over the brutal death of Nichols, which was recorded on body camera video.
In February 2023, Rev. Sharpton delivered the eulogy for Nichols in Memphis, during which then-Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke and called on Congress to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
Editor’s Note: This despicable verdict was rendered by an all-white jury in Chattanooga,Tennessee–due to a change of venue from the majority Black City of Memphis…
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.
