WASHINGTON, D.C.–People’s Action today released the following statement from executive director Sulma Arias following the verdict and video footage release of the police murder of Tyre Nichols.

“Tyre Nichols should be alive today.  He was a father and a creative photographer who deserved a life of safety with the people he loved. Instead, in an act of unconscionable brutality, five Memphis police officers ended his life far too soon. This injustice, rooted in deep racism and inexplicable violence, must be stopped. We are sick of witnessing the murder of Black people by the police. Far too many lives have been ended too soon at the hands of police. 

“We will not allow this injustice to prevail. It is beyond time to reform the systems that protect this deadly behavior and demand police accountability. 

“Now more than ever we need an organizing revival that builds community power and restores our faith in each other. We will continue to organize and fight for justice and stronger, safer communities that come from real investments in people’s lives, not the police.”

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People’s Action builds the power of poor and working people in urban, rural, and suburban areas to win change through issue fights and elections. We are a national network of 38 state and local grassroots power-building organizations in 28 states–united in the work of building a bigger “we.”