Press Releases

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement: 

“Mr. Tyre Nichols was a beloved father, son, and friend who should still be alive today. Our hearts are with his parents, Ms. RowVaughn Wells and Mr. Rodney Wells, who are still grieving the loss of their son. Time and again, they have been forced to relive Tyre’s brutal assault and murder but have remarkably found the strength to continue fighting for justice for their son and the many others that have been killed by police officers who are sworn to protect and serve. The Congressional Black Caucus was honored to welcome Mr. Nichol’s parents as our guests for President Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address.   

“It is unfortunate that Mr. Nichols’ loved ones must today bear the news that three of the officers involved in the attack were found not guilty on all counts in the state's case. This decision is a shock to our collective conscience as a nation and falls woefully short of true accountability. It is past time that the U.S. Congress pass legislation to address the systemic issues in law enforcement agencies across the country. It is clear to us that the institution of policing is broken. The time to rectify these gaps in responsibility, accountability, and discrimination in our criminal justice system is now. We cannot afford to wait for another loss of innocent Black life. The cycles of violence against our community must end. The time to act is upon us. 

“The CBC will continue fighting alongside Mr. Nichol’s parents and others for police reform to ensure that our legal system holds accountable police officers who violate the law and the public trust until no family or community has to face a tragedy like this again.”