Sort by
Press release/statement

Dēmos President Taifa Smith Butler: Police Violence Threatens Lives, Communities and Our Democracy

This epidemic must stop, and it must stop now.

NEW YORK, NY — Dēmos President Taifa Smith Butler issued the following statement in response to the released body camera footage showing Tyre Nichols' brutal killing by Memphis police officers:

“Our hearts remain broken for Tyre Nichols, his family, and the entire city of Memphis. The sickening video released Friday is further evidence of the public health crisis of police violence that has plagued America since the founding of the institution. Whether at the hands of Black or white officers, what happened to Tyre Nichols speaks to the systemic white supremacy and structural violence embedded in police culture and policing of historically marginalized communities.

“Police violence threatens lives, communities, and our democracy. This epidemic must stop, and it must stop now. Bringing it to an end will require the affirmative commitment, solidarity, and sustained action of all Americans, from grassroots advocacy to the ballot box. Organizers in Memphis are leading the way, through the demands they have named from community group Decarcerate Memphis. We stand in solidarity with these demands, which include requiring law enforcement data transparency and removing police from traffic enforcement. Some demands have already been met, such as disbanding the SCORPION unit and charging five of the officers responsible for Tyre’s death. 

“We will need to do more to dismantle this country's hateful legacy of violence against Black communities.

The deep injustices we face are not inevitable. They were created and facilitated through racist public policies.

The deep injustices we face are not inevitable. They were created and facilitated through racist public policies.

That means they can be destroyed by different policies — brave, inclusive, moral public policies that promote healing and true public safety. Every generation is called on to press for progress on the moral arc of justice. This is our moment. The time to act is now.” 

###  

Dēmos is a think tank that powers the movement for a just, inclusive, multiracial democracy. Through cutting-edge policy research, inspiring litigation, and deep relationships with grassroots organizations, Dēmos champions solutions that will create a democracy and economy rooted in racial equity.