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Protesters demand police accountability on march along downtown Raleigh streets

Protesters marched on downtown Raleigh streets on Saturday afternoon to voice their dismay with police brutality after a fatal arrest in a neighboring state grabbed the nation's attention.

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RALEIGH, N.C. — Protesters marched on downtown Raleigh streets on Saturday afternoon to voice their dismay with police brutality after a fatal arrest in a neighboring state grabbed the nation's attention.

Around 100 gathered to demonstrate after disturbing evidence surfaced from the death of Tyre Nichols, who died while in police custody in Memphis.

The march in Raleigh mirrored one of many protests across the country in the hours after video footage showing Nichols being beaten by five Memphis police officers was released.
Protest

The demonstration started around 1 p.m. in front of the Wake County courthouse on Fayetteville Street and the group continued to march downtown. Protesters held signs and shouted phrases in unison such as 'shut it down!' and 'no justice, no peace,' as they walked along Fayetteville, Blount and Salisbury streets and past the Governor's Mansion. The march eventually came to Raleigh police headquarters on Cabarrus Street.

The protest took on a different tenor in Raleigh, where Darryl Williams died as officers used tasers on Jan. 17 in an intense confrontation. Speakers at the protest mentioned Williams' death as well, expressing frustration with authorities' handling of the situation. Marchers chanted Williams' name in support during the walk in support as emotions ran high.

Police officers on motorcycles were stationed in front of the marchers to ensure safety. Many surrounding streets were blocked off to traffic.

People WRAL News spoke with on Friday said it was difficult to watch the footage of Nichols, which shows officers hitting him with their fists, boots and batons.

Protesters walk in downtown Raleigh

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper released a statement just before noon Saturday on his Facebook page regarding the release of the video:

"The senseless and inhumane beating death of Tyre Nichols by those who are responsible for protecting pubilc safety is infuriating and a blatant abuse of authority. Jusitce for Tyre and his family should be served and we must continue our efforts here in NC to strengthen training and accountability for law enforcement, particularly an officer's duty to intervene when excessive force is being used. Public safety that is fair and just is crucial for the protection of all of our communities."

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn "CJ" Davis decided to make the video public after the termination of the five officers, who now face second-degree murder charges in connection to Nichols’ death. Davis was previously police chief in Durham from 2016 to 2021.

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