Yet here we are again grieving the death of another young black man, Tyre Nichols, whose life was taken at the hands of five black police officers on a night in a quiet Memphis neighborhood. Tyre Nichols’ life at the age of 29 was taken before he had a chance to fulfill his purpose. This young man was not a person to be feared or perceived to be a threat. He was a son, father, and contributor to society; respected and loved by all who knew him. His only crime was being black in the wrong place at the wrong time….
National Black Sisters’ Conference
Tyre Nichols’ death is evidence of the abuse of power and excessive force that communities of color too often experience at the hands of police. We stand with the National Black Sisters’ Conference and demand justice for Tyre by calling for the following:
• Immediate passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021 by Congress
• More progressive oversite and accountability of police departments by the Justice Department
• Local and State reform of policing
• The end to police brutality that continues to plague black and poor communities
We stand by our sisters and brothers of color and recommit ourselves to raising our voices and working for systemic change in order to build the Beloved Community. We pray for peace and comfort for the family of Tyre Nichols and for the countless other families before them whose lives were taken in similar acts of violence. We pray for strength and healing for all who have been traumatized in numerous ways by both individual and institutionalized brutality. We join you in calling for justice.
The IHM Leadership Council
Margaret Chapman, IHM – Treasurer and Mission Councilor
Marianne Gaynor, IHM – Vice President and Mission Councilor
Mary Jane Herb, IHM, President
Patricia McCluskey, IHM – Mission Councilor
Ellen Rinke, IHM – Mission Councilor