Statement: On Tyre Nichols Police-involved Lynching

Simply Power. Clearly Not Justice [View this email in your browser]( The Honorable Michael Alexander Blake Statement following the video release of the Memphis police involved lynching of Tyre Nichols January 27, 2023 Tyre Nichols was lynched by members of the Memphis police and the injustice system. I’ve tried to write a statement several times in the last five hours but simply couldn’t gather my thoughts in any clear way. My mind, my heart, my soul are hurting. It is obvious that a police involved lynching occurred in Memphis that not only killed another Black King but should remind us all that a criminal injustice system still exists where police brutality is so pervasive that such levels of hate against Black people, especially Black men, even unfortunately sometimes from our own, is more ever present than the breath that should exist within our bodies. Then after being absolutely tortured, Tyre waited 22 minutes for an Ambulance. How absolutely inhumane are these persons and the system to literally do everything possible to ensure that he would not survive? And for what? Simply power. Clearly not Justice. The fact that government buildings and education facilities were closed early on Friday demonstrate that the fear of retaliation was greater than the fear of taking Tyre’s life. But, equally reflect that a decision was made to wait until the last possible moment of a work week to hopefully be as least disruptive to the economic and social system as possible rather than attempting to disrupt the corruption and injustice behind too many within law enforcement. I’ve been in contact with Memphis elected officials and local leaders who are asking for peaceful protests despite the feelings of anything but within our hearts. It is absolutely understandable to feel rage, anger, disgust, hopelessness and a sense of being lost on what to do, especially as a Black Man. We will immediately determine with any coalition of the willing the sustained changes that must occur not just in Memphis but across the police industrial complex. From transparency of training modules that ensure that we are not immediately perceived as threats, especially when interacting with anyone dealing with Autism or any other ailment, to the determination of benefits being stripped away upon conviction, from disclosure of Grand Jury transcripts within police involved deaths to accountability on any person who covers up said crimes, especially those who wrote that press release that clearly contained lies and deception from the Memphis police, we must utilize this moment to transformatively reform racist institutionalized systems that brutalize Black people each and every day. To all Black Men, I love you King. I see you. I respect you. I honor you. To Tyre’s family, you should not have to endure your loved one being a martyr. It’s not right. It’s not fair. We will not let his life be taken in vain. Simply put, as a Black man, I just want to make it home alive. That’s all. Tyre Nichols is the latest tragic reminder that for all of us, it’s simply not guaranteed. [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Website]( [Email](mailto:hello@atlassstrategy.group) [Instagram]( Copyright © 2023 Atlas Strategy Group, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. Our mailing address is: Atlas Strategy Group 837 Washington AveBronx, NY 10451-4842 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](.