Tyre Nichols' family gathered in Memphis, Tennessee, for his funeral, weeks after the 29-year-old died following a violent encounter with Memphis police caught on body camera.
Graphic footage of the Jan. 7 traffic stop, which showed officers beating Nichols, was released to the public on Friday and sparked nationwide outrage. Nichols, a young father who loved skateboarding, died on Jan. 10, after spending three days in a hospital.
Five officers involved in the incident have since been fired and charged with several felonies, including second-degree murder.
Latest Developments
Feb 1, 5:09 PMNichols' mom addresses mourners through tears
The Rev. Al Sharpton said “nobody has shown more strength and dignity” than Tyre Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells.
© Deandre Nichols/Facebook via Reuters
Tyre Nichols, who died in a hospital on Jan. 10, three days after sustaining injuries during his arrest by police officers, is seen in this undated picture obtained from social media.
Through tears, Wells said her son was a “beautiful person.”
She said the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act must be passed by Congress, otherwise “the next child that dies, that blood is gonna be on their hands.”
Tyre Nichols’ stepfather, Rodney Wells, told the crowd, “We’re looking forward to passing some bills” and getting justice for “all the families.”
“This is a continuous fight,” he said.
© Andrew Nelles/AP
RowVaughn Wells hugs Vice President Kamala Harris during the funeral service for her son Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
Nichols' older sister, Keyana Dixon, noted that even as her brother was pulled out of his car, he remained polite.
"He was always saying, 'Please stop,' and they didn't. And that's why my family will never be the same," Dixon said.
Video: Tyre Nichols' mom addresses mourners through tears
Feb 1, 4:40 PMTyre Nichols' 'legacy will be one of equal justice'
Tyre Nichols' family attorney, Ben Crump, “made a plea for justice” at the service.
© Courtesy of the Nichols family via AP
This photo provided by the Nichols family shows Tyre Nichols.
“When we watch, we don’t see the Memphis Police Department SCORPION unit extend one ounce of humanity during that 1 hour and 7 minute video,” Crump said. “Why wouldn’t they see the humanity in Tyre?”
© Andrew Nelles/AP
Flowers sit atop Tyre Nichols' casket during his funeral service at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
© Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images
A man holds a sign displaying Tyre Nichols' name outside of the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church ahead of Tyre Nichols funeral in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1,2023.
To Nichols' family, Crump said, "His legacy will be one of equal justice. It will be the blueprint going forward, because we have to remember that in less than 20 days ... they were terminated, they were arrested and they were charged."
Video: Ben Crump says Tyre Nichols' 'legacy will be one of equal justice'
Feb 1, 4:11 PMSharpton: ‘We won’t stop until we hold you accountable'
The Rev. Al Sharpton told mourners that the body camera video “speaks for itself.”
“We understand that there are concerns about public safety. But you don’t fight crime by becoming criminals yourself,” Sharpton said.
© Kris Volker
An undated photo of Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by Memphis police.
He vowed, “We won’t stop until we hold you accountable and change this system.”
Sharpton said he wants to see the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passed so “you have to think twice before you beat Tyre Nichols. You think twice before you shoot at someone unarmed.”
He added, "If that man had been white, you wouldn't have beat him. ... We're asking to be treated equal."
© Courtesy Elizabeth Cabradilla
Tyre Nichols in a 2020 photo, in Conway, Ark.
Sharpton, who was raised by a single mother, said he was "touched" when he heard Tyre Nichols calling for his mother on the video, "just like George Floyd was calling for his mother."
"All he wanted to do was get home."
Video: Sharpton delivers eulogy at Tyre Nichols’ funeral
Feb 1, 3:25 PMHarris to family: 'You have been extraordinary'
Vice President Kamala Harris said to Tyre Nichols’ mother and stepfather, “You have been extraordinary in terms of your strength, your courage and your grace.”
© Andrew Nelles/AP
Rev. Al Sharpton listens as Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the funeral service for Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
© Pool/Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris sits with RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells during the funeral service for Wells' son Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Feb. 1, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn.
“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,” Harris said. “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.”
© Andrew Nelles/AP
RowVaughn Wells stops in front of the casket of her son Tyre Nichols at the start of his funeral service at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
© Lucy Garrett/Getty Images
Signs rest on the steps of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church on the morning of Tyre Nichols' funeral on Feb. 1, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn.
Nichols died in an "act of violence at the hands and the feet of the people who have been charged with keeping them safe," she said. "This violent act was not in pursuit of public safety."
She said passing The George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is "non-negotiable."
Video: VP Harris speaks at Tyre Nichols’ funeral
Feb 1, 2:49 PMFamilies of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner, Botham Jean attend service
Families of other Black Americans killed by police -- George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and Botham Jean -- came to pay their respects at Wednesday’s funeral.
“They’ve come to be with you on this day from all over the country,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said.
© Andrew Nelles/AP
RowVaughn Wells cries as she and her husband Rodney Wells arrive for the funeral service for her son Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
Feb 1, 2:57 PMVP Harris hugs Tyre Nichols’ mom
Vice President Kamala Harris had a long embrace with Tyre Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, when she arrived at the service.
© AP
Vice President Kamala Harris hugs RowVaughn Wells during the funeral service for Wells' son Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
Harris is sitting next to Wells in the front pew.
© Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images
Attorney Ben Crump, 2nd left, and Tyre Nichols' parents, RowVaughn Wells, center, and Rodney Wells, 2nd right, arrive at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church ahead of the funeral service for Nichols, in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
© Andrew Nelles/AP
RowVaughn Wells and her husband Rodney Wells arrive for the funeral service for her son Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
-ABC News' Steph Wash
Feb 1, 2:57 PMFellow grieving mom offers condolences
Tiffany Rachal, whose son, Jalen Randle, was shot and killed by an officer in Houston last year, said at Tyre Nichols’ funeral service, “I’m here to offer my condolence to you.”
© Jeff Roberson/AP
Mourners arrive at the funeral service for Tyre Nichols at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church on Feb. 1, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn.
“I pray that God heal your broken heart,” she said to Nichols' family. “We are fighting together. And all the mothers all over the world need to come together.”
Video: Fellow grieving mom offers condolences at Tyre Nichols’ funeral
Feb 1, 12:17 PMFuneral delayed to 2 p.m. ET
Wednesday’s funeral has been delayed to 2 p.m. ET due to an ice storm in Memphis.
© Ronda Churchill/Reuters
Dan Beazley, 61, of Northville, Mich., carries a 10-ft. homemade cross "to shine the light in the world of darkness" to Memphis Boulevard Christian Church before the memorial service for Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 1, 2023.
© Jeff Roberson/AP
Terry Lawrence spreads ice melting salt around Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church where a funeral service for Tyre Nichols will be held, Feb. 1, 2023, in Memphis, Tenn.
Feb 1, 6:11 AMMemphis bridges to be lit up for Tyre Nichols
Two bridges in Memphis will be lit red and gold Wednesday night in honor of Tyre Nichols’ favorite football team, the San Francisco 49ers.
Feb 1, 5:23 AMVice President Harris to attend
Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Memphis, Tennessee, to attend Tyre Nichols' funeral.
Nichols family attorney Ben Crump said Nichols' parents spoke with Harris on the phone for over 30 minutes.
Harris and Nichols' mother, RowVaughn Wells, "spoke exclusively, and during this emotional time, the Vice President was able to console Ms. Wells and even help her smile," Crump said in a statement on Tuesday.
Principal deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton said Tuesday, "When President Biden spoke with Mr. Nichols’ families last week, he told them that he was going to be making the case to Congress to pass the George Floyd justice and policing act."
Dalton added the administration's usual caveat that Biden has basically maxed out his executive authorities on the issue, and that Congress needs to act to effect further change.
"President Biden is committed to doing everything in his power to ensure our criminal justice system lives up to the promise of fair and impartial justice, equal treatment and dignity for all,” she said.
“We need Congress to come together and take action to ensure our justice system lives up to its name," she added.
-ABC News’ Sarah Kolinovsky
