D.C. police fully activated all sworn members in preparation for possible protests following charges against five fired Memphis police officers in the killing of Tyre Nichols, a Black motorist who died three days after a confrontation with police during a traffic stop.
Video of the Jan. 7 traffic stop will be released to the public Friday evening. Nichols’ family and their lawyers say the footage shows officers savagely beating the 29-year-old father and FedEx worker for three minutes. David Rausch, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, said during a news conference that he saw the video and found it “absolutely appalling.”
“We understand that a video will be released and contains disturbing content that does not represent the values that any law enforcement officers are sworn to uphold,” the Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement.
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D.C. police said officers will be prepared to respond should illegal activity occur during any protests.
“We will not tolerate any unlawful behavior during First Amendment demonstrations,” the police statement said.
The former Memphis police officers, who are all Black, were charged Thursday with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression.
It's unclear how long D.C. police will maintain full activation of personnel.
At least one group has called for demonstrators to meet in huge numbers Friday evening in Lafayette Square.
News4 video shows crews erecting barriers around the U.S. Capitol by early Friday. Authorities haven't announced why the short metal gates were placed around the grounds, including whether it may be related to the possible protests or the State of the Union address in less than two weeks.
