Thousands march in Oakland demanding justice for Tyre Nichols killed by US police

Thousands of people have marched through the streets of Oakland, California, to protest police brutality and systemic racism against minorities and to demand justice for young Black man Tyre Nichols who killed by Memphis police.

The protest rally was organized by the Anti-Police-Terror Project after body-camera videos released on Friday showed five Memphis police officers punching, kicking, and pepper spraying Nichols following a traffic incident. 

Speakers at the rally included family members of residents who were killed by police. They strongly condemned the violence against people of color.

Nichols, a Black man, died several days after he was repeatedly beaten by police following a 7 January traffic stop. His family has said that he was returning home after photographing the sunset when he was beaten to death.

The Memphis Police Department on Friday night released four graphic videos chronicling the incident, highlighting police excesses against Black people.

"What happened to Tyre Nichols is not an exception, it's the rule. And it happens every single day in this country. This is what American policing looks like," said Cat Brooks, Executive Director of the Anti-Police Terror Project, which organized the event in Oakland.

People from around the San Francisco Bay Area joined in the protest to express their outrage at the US police killing of Blacks and other minorities.

"Obviously we are here to collectively grieve Tyre Nichols' brutal murder. And to stand in solidarity with the Memphis community," Brianna Vieira, who lives in San Jose, was quoted as saying.

Charles Jung, a San Francisco resident, said he took part in the protest because he wanted sufficient protections to be put in place "to ensure equal justice for all Americans" of different colors and ethnicities.

ME