CNN
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Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the funeral of Tyre Nichols in Memphis on Wednesday, in response to a White Home official, becoming a member of different senior degree Biden administration officers on the service.
Harris spoke over the cellphone on Tuesday morning with Nichols’ mom and step father, RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, the official stated.
“The Vice President expressed her deep condolences and supplied the household assist as they proceed to navigate this difficult time,” the official added.
Harris is attending on the invitation of the Wells household. White Home Director for the Workplace of Public Engagement Keisha Lance Bottoms and senior adviser to the president Mitch Landrieu will even be in attendance.
Harris’ contact with Nichols’ dad and mom comes after President Joe Biden spoke with the Wells household on Friday, hours earlier than video of Nichols’ beating by law enforcement officials was launched by Memphis officers.
The administration presence on the funeral will come as come as prospects for federal legislative reforms on policing, which the Wells household has pushed for, seem slim.
Town of Memphis on Friday night time launched physique digital camera and surveillance video of the January 7 visitors cease and beating that led to the 29-year-old’s dying from his accidents three days later in a neighborhood hospital. The discharge got here a day after 5 Memphis law enforcement officials, who are also Black and have been fired, had been charged with homicide.
Nichols is seen on video screaming for his mom as Memphis law enforcement officials struck him a number of occasions – together with within the face whereas his palms had been restrained, CNN beforehand reported. Though paramedics arrived minutes after officers disengaged, Nichols seems to be left on the pavement with out help for stretches of time earlier than an ambulance comes.
The footage drew shocked response from legislation enforcement specialists and outrage from officers together with Biden, who stated it was “one more painful reminder of the profound worry and trauma, the ache, and the exhaustion that Black and Brown People expertise each single day.”
In her personal assertion Friday, Harris stated, “Tyre Nichols ought to have made it dwelling to his household. But, as soon as once more, America mourns the lifetime of a son and father brutally reduce brief by the hands of these sworn to guard and serve.”
She added, “The persistent subject of police misconduct and use of extreme drive in America should finish now.”
Harris’ presence on the funeral comes after it was introduced that Nichols’ dad and mom will attend the president’s State of the Union handle on February 7.
Congressional Black Caucus Govt Director Vincent Evans tweeted on Sunday that the caucus chairman, Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada, invited Nichols’ dad and mom to Washington as company of the caucus, and that they’ve accepted the invitation.
Biden is dealing with renewed calls to debate police reform at his handle to Congress. Horsford stated in a press release Sunday that the CBC is requesting a White Home assembly this week to push for negotiations.
This story has been up to date with further particulars.