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Tyre Nichols beating death: Central Florida activists focus on 'use of force policies'
Police bodycam footage showing the arrest of Tyre Nichols has many Americans upset and praising the decision to fire and arrest the officers involved. But some people in Orlando are wondering what they can do to show their support.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Police bodycam footage released Friday night shows Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man from Memphis, being beaten by five police officers during a traffic stop back on January 7. He died three days later, leaving his 4-year-old son without a father and his family without many answers.
The new video has many Americans upset and praising the decision to fire and arrest the officers involved. But some people in Orlando are wondering what they can do to show their support. FOX 35 spoke with those who were heavily involved in organizing local protests following the death of George Floyd nearly three years ago.
Orlando saw protests after Floyd's death, which led to changes in some of the local law enforcement policies. Orlando's mayor and police chief announced a community trust and equity initiative and Orlando police banned chokeholds and no-knock warrants.
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Tyre Nichols cries out for his mom in video of deadly beating by Memphis officers
Police bodycam footage released Friday night shows Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man from Memphis, being beaten by five police officers during a traffic stop back on January 7. He died three days later.
Memphis Police Department Officers Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith were terminated on Jan. 18 for their role in the arrest of deceased Tyre Nichols. (Memphis Police Department) From left, Desmond Mills, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin and Tadarrius Bean. Each of the Memphis Police Department officers was terminated on Jan. 18 for their role in the arrest of Tyre Nichols. (Shelby County Jail) RowVaughn Wells speaks to attendees during a candlelight vigil for her son Tyre Nichols at the Tobey Skate Park on January 26, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) RowVaugn Wells, second from left, becomes emotional during a press conference at Mt. Olive Cathedral CME Church after she viewed footage of the violent police interaction that led to the death of her son Tyre Nichols Memphis, TN on January 23, 2023. (Photo by Brandon Dill for The Washington Post via Getty Images) FILE - A photo of Tyre Nichols is positioned prior to a press conference on Jan. 27, 2023 in Memphis, Tenn. ( Scott Olson/Getty Images) Bodycam footage shows Tyre Nichols being pepper-sprayed in the face. Screenshot from the footage of Tyre Nichols arrest, released by Memphis Police Police officers take a demonstrator, who smashed the window of a police car, into custody during the protest against the police assault of Tyre Nichols at Times Square in New York, United States on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) People gather to protest against the police assault of Tyre Nichols at Times Square in New York, United States on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) MORE NEWS: Tyre Nichols: Florida leaders react to body cam video of Memphis beating death
They put together "Neighborhood Patrol Units," with a diverse team aiming to connect with as many people as possible. Police also hired mental health professionals to respond to people in crisis in appropriate cases and they started a junior reserve law enforcement course at a local high school.
Local activists say in the wake of Tyre Nichols death, the focus should be on police "use of force." After George Floyd's death, the city of Orlando also hired its first equity officer, to make sure the city is fair, equal and accessible to all.