One of the main demands of the family is the closure of the Scorpion unit. One of the family’s lawyers, Antonio Romanucci, attacked the unit and others used by police departments across the country to regularly stop crimes.
“The intention was good,” said Mr. Romanucci said. “The end result is a failure.”
Mr. Nicholas’ death sparked deep anger and sadness among many in the community, a pain that only intensified after people were able to watch the nearly hour-long footage for themselves.
“I see why he ran – he was scared for his life” said Rev. Memphis Christian Pastors Network executive director and retired police colonel. James Earl Kirkwood said. “It has set back police relations in black and brown communities in our city.”
DeVante Hill, an activist in Memphis, met with Chief Davis on Friday and laid out a list of demands: censure the superiors of the officers accused, invest at the community level in fighting crime and completely overhaul training.
Mr. When Hill told Chief Davis that she, too, wanted the Scorpion disbanded, her response was immediate and unequivocal: “Done,” she told him.
The decision to disband the unit was announced on Saturday as demonstrators marched through the city.
“Do you know what that means?” one of the protesters asked the crowd. “It worked.”
Hunter Dempster, an organizer with Decarcerate Memphis, a group that pushes for accountability and fairness in the criminal justice system, called the development a “good start.”
“But that’s not enough,” said Mr. Dempster clarified.
“We don’t need another tire,” he said. “We don’t want to be on the streets again, so we’re in it for the long haul.”
Jessica Jaclois, Jesus Jimenez And Mark Walker Contributed reporting from Memphis. Mike Baker Also contributed to reporting.
