“I was, as a senator—as a United States senator—a co-author of the original George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. And as vice president of the United States, we demand that Congress pass the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act. Joe Biden will sign it. And we should not delay, and we will not be denied. It is non-negotiable.”
Impassioned words from Vice President Kamala Harris at the funeral for Tyre Nichols, who was unarmed and brutally beaten by Memphis, Tennessee, police at a traffic stop on Jan. 7. He died three days later on Jan. 10. The funeral, held Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis ironically took place on the first day of Black History Month. The history of Black people being lynched by both police and civilians is as long as this nation’s history. Tragically, this latest abomination is simply part of a continuum in our nation.
RELATED STORY: How many more Black Americans have to die before the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act passes?
Harris was not scheduled to speak; however, she took a few minutes after the opening of the service by Rev. Al Sharpton to address the family, congregation, and guests. Her remarks:
Transcript:
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, Church.
Reverend Sharpton, I want to thank you for all you do for so many. There are so many families here who have been personally touched by your leadership and your strength and your fellowship.
Reverend Dr. Lawrence Turner, thank you for welcoming us.
Keisha Lance Bottoms. Mitch Landrieu.
We are here on behalf of the people of our country and our president, Joe Biden.
And we are here to celebrate the life of Tyre Nichols.
Mrs. Wells, Mr. Wells, you have been extraordinary in terms of your strength, your courage, and your grace.
And we mourn with you, and the people of our country mourn with you. And I just have—just—just—I’m going to be very brief.
Mothers around the world, when their babies are born, pray to God, when they hold that child, that that body and that life will be safe for the rest of his life.
Yet we have a mother and a father who mourn the life of a young man who should be here today. They have a grandson who now does not have a father. His brothers and sister will lose the love of growing old with their baby brother.
And when we look at this situation, this is a family that lost their son and their brother through an act of violence at the hands and the feet of people who had been charged with keeping them safe.
And when I think about the courage and the strength of this family, I think it demands that we speak truth.
And with this, I will say: This violent act was not in pursuit of public safety. It was not in the interest of keeping the public safe. Because one must ask: Was not it in the interest of keeping the public safe that Tyre Nichols would be with us here today? Was he not also entitled to the right to be safe?
So when we talk about public safety, let us understand what it means in its truest form. Tyre Nichols should have been safe.
So I’ll just close by saying this: I was, as a senator—as a United States senator—a co-author of the original George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. And as vice president of the United States, we demand that Congress pass the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act. Joe Biden will sign it. And we should not delay, and we will not be denied. It is non-negotiable.
And with that, I’ll just pass through, if you don’t mind—one of my favorite verses in scripture is Luke Chapter 1, Verse 79, which tells us God will help us to shine a light “upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.”
Let our memory of Tyre shine a light on the path toward peace and justice.
Thank you.
Remarks by Nichol’s mother, RowVaughn Wells, about her son’s murder were heartbreaking as she was speaking about how she was getting through this. “I really truly believe my son was sent here on an assignment from God, and I guess now his assignment is done, and he's been taken home.”
Sharpton delivered the eulogy, which TMZ reported:
His remarks had just about everybody in attendance on their feet by the end of it ... and for good reason.
RAS started by shedding a spotlight on the families of other victims of police brutality, including the Floyds, the Garners, the Taylors and others -- who traveled to make an appearance, and who know what it's like to go through this. He also shouted out the Veep and other elected officials -- both locally and federally -- who showed face for the funeral.
Moving on to Tyre, the reverend made an analogy to the parable of Joseph in the Well -- as told in the Bible -- and said the 5 officers who beat him that night were just like Joseph's brothers ... thinking that throwing him in the pit would solve their problems and quiet him down.
Sharpton’s eulogy:
You can watch the full service here:
Looking at the funeral coverage on social media, this photograph struck me:
Two Black women and a Black man, united in grief by their hands. That one of those women is also the vice president of the United States speaks to me, as I’m sure it does to those who have seen it.