Letter to the editor: Fallout from Tyre Nichols' death

The video of Memphis police officers inflicting blows that ultimately proved fatal to Tyre Nichols was very disheartening. This was a senseless act by officers who did not deescalate the situation, but instead allowed their frustration and anger to take over.

Nichols and the five officers involved are Black, so the narrative seems to have changed from race to it being a “training issue.” But this has not stopped some on the left and even elected leaders from playing the race card and absurdly claiming white supremacy is behind this tragedy.

The ensuing protests remained mostly peaceful, I believe because the officers involved were not white, which removed the catalyst left-wing radicals could use to create anger. And the majority of protesters in Memphis seemed to be organic and not out-of-state agitators that have been used in the past to incite violence. Nichols’ mother calling for peaceful protests before the videos were released also helped.

This did not stop some from trying, as antifa had announcements on social media to bring weapons and “burn it down” in New York and other cities. Fortunately, this did not occur, although it is still a call for domestic terrorism — but I guess the politicized DOJ and FBI are still tied up tracking down septuagenarians who happened to be near the Capitol during the infamous Jan. 6 so-called insurrection.

Nichols’ death has invigorated the anti-police movement, which will ultimately cost many more lives than they believe will be saved.

A.J. Abate

Elizabeth