jKaiLord chanting “No justice, no peace” while marching throughout Sacramento on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. jKaiLord was among several protesters to call for justice after the death of Tyre Nichols, who died days after being beaten by Memphis police officers. (Alyssa Branum)
jKaiLord chanting “No justice, no peace” while marching throughout Sacramento on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. jKaiLord was among several protesters to call for justice after the death of Tyre Nichols, who died days after being beaten by Memphis police officers.

Alyssa Branum

‘I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired’: Sacramento community mourns death of Tyre Nichols

Demonstrators approach Capitol to protest police brutality

January 27, 2023

An array of Sacramento residents crowded the western steps of California’s State Capitol building as they quietly observed newly-released body camera footage of the beating and arrest of 29-year-old Sacramento native Tyre Nichols.

Nichols, a father and an avid skateboarder, died Jan. 10 in Memphis, Tennessee, as a result of the injuries he sustained during the arrest.

“I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired… I’m sick and tired of welcoming families into a club nobody wants to be part of,” Stevante Clark said in front of the Capitol in downtown Sacramento. 

Clark, who protested in 2018 following the death of his brother Stephon Clark, called for justice and accountability. Stephon Clark was shot and killed by Sacramento police officers in his grandmother’s backyard. 

Story continues below tweet.

On Jan. 7, Nichols took photos of the sunset at a skate park in Memphis, Tennessee. On his way home, five officers in unmarked police cars pulled him over for reckless driving, according to the Los Angeles Times. A confrontation ensued, and Nichols fled. 

Police caught up to Nichols near his mother’s house, where a second confrontation took place. He was handcuffed and beaten by the officers while he called for his mom and began complaining about shortness of breath. 

He was then taken to a nearby hospital, where he died three days later.

While an official cause of death has yet to be released and an autopsy commissioned by the family is still in progress, Nichols’ step-father Rodney Wells told CBS-affiliate WREG-TV that Nichols died of cardiac arrest and kidney failure as a result of the beating. 

Amplified by the megaphone in her hands, Leia Schenk, founder of the social justice organization EMPACT and a Sac State alumna, talked about the continuous occurrences of police violence. 

“Our Black men that have been accosted by the police, they have to live in fear every day of their lives… every time they go anywhere, they have to be afraid of this,” Schenk said. “So when you wonder why Black men run, it’s because they’re afraid. They’re running for their life.” 

On Jan. 20, all five police officers were arrested and charged with “second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravating kidnapping resulting in bodily injury, aggravated kidnapping involving the possession of a weapon, official misconduct through unauthorized exercise of power, official misconduct through failure to act when there is a duty imposed by law and official oppression,” according to Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy. 

Kymberlee Barlow, who said she worked with Nichols at Sunrise Mall, was shocked and said she was not mentally prepared to watch the footage. 

“I have no words. I literally cannot even fathom what’s happening,” Barlow said.

A statement released by Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said they do not condone the acts shown in the body camera footage, writing that it does not reflect their values or law enforcement. 

“As your sheriff, I remain steadfast in our agency’s commitment to protect all citizens’ rights, life, and liberty. While this event may certainly [evoke] strong emotions, I implore the community to channel this energy toward positive, meaningful and effective efforts. I commit to you that we will continue to build positive relationships and work collaboratively with the communities we serve,” wrote Sheriff Jim Cooper. 

Moving forward, Clark called for legislative change like bail reform. The officers charged with Nichols’ death posted bail within 24 hours of being arrested. Clark said the ability for them to make bail was not fair. 

“What this is saying is that these guys can get away with murder,” Clark said. “We shouldn’t be living in two different Americas. We live in one America.” 

Donate to The State Hornet
$800
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Sacramento State University. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

About the Writers
Photo of Emma Hall
Emma Hall, news editor
(she/her)
Emma is the news editor for The State Hornet. Previously she was the inaugural diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) editor and newsletter editor. She also led The Inquirer at Diablo Valley College and has worked with The Advocate at Contra Costa College, and The CalMatters College Journalism Network. Alongside the Hornet, Emma serves as NPR's Diverse Sources intern.








Photo of Gavin Hudson
Gavin Hudson, newsletter editor
(he/him)
Gavin Hudson holds high aspirations to be a film critic. Writing about film gives him purpose and passion for the future. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's in journalism while working for assorted publications like IGN and Solving Sacramento.








Photo of Tony Rodriguez
Tony Rodriguez, editor-in-chief
(he/him)

Tony Rodriguez is a fourth-year journalism major in his second semester as editor-in-chief of The State Hornet. Rodriguez has spent four semesters with the publication and has served in editorial positions with The State Hornet and on his community college publication, The Express. He hopes to continue his education after graduating from Sacramento State and pursue a Master of Arts in Journalism. Rodriguez hopes to work in media production or as a reporter focused on arts and culture.







Photo of Chris Woodard
Chris Woodard, Managing Editor
(he/him)
Chris Woodard joined The State Hornet in 2022 as a third-year transfer student. He previously worked as the editor-in-chief of Cosumnes River College’s publication, The Connection. He is a Sacramento native and hopes to cover arts & entertainment after graduating in the spring of 2024.

 

The State Hornet • Copyright 2024 • FLEX WordPress Theme by SNOLog in

Donate to The State Hornet
$800
$1000
Contributed
Our Goal