Republican Gov.
A law prohibiting local governments from enacting any legislation that would obstruct law enforcement’s ability to stop crime was signed into effect by Bill Lee on Thursday.
When WPLN asked for comment, the governor’s office did not get back to them right away.
A locally relevant solution Rodney and RowVaughn Wells buried their son in front of the world last year.
Outrage was generated by Tyre Nichols’s death, 29, at the hands of the police in January of last year.
Vice President Kamala Harris and his sister Keyana Dixon both spoke at his funeral.
“All I want is my baby brother back, but I see the world fighting for his justice and showing him love,” Dixon remarked.
The Memphis City Council passed a number of ordinances to restructure the police department following the death of Nichols.
“Pretextual” traffic stops, in which a police officer stops a person for a relatively minor infraction, such as a broken taillight or expired tags, were prohibited by the Tyre Nichols Act.
“After stopping our son Tyre, they offered a variety of justifications for their actions.
However, as everyone is aware, none of those justifications worked out, RowVaughn Wells remarked.
RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, who are fighting for legislative reform, went to Nashville earlier this month to persuade legislators to oppose the bill that would repeal the police reform implemented in memory of their late son.
“Those people are just harassing us, the black citizens of Memphis, and they don’t realize that stops are pretextual,” the woman remarked.
The Tennessee House advanced the bill while Nichols’ parents were not present.
According to the family, this is because Republican Rep. The bill will now be due the following week, according to John Gillespie of Memphis.
Wells stated, “basically, his word is no good to us.”.
While in the House, Democratic Rep. Memphis resident Justin J. Pearson also opposed the bill and its timing.
“You had a quick conversation with the Wells family and informed them that this bill wouldn’t likely be discussed until next Thursday,” he added.
You should be returning this bill to committee because you misled them, as you are the one who brought it before us. Gillespie refuted what Pearson had said.
According to him, communities in Tennessee will remain safe with this measure.
“People in my community, neighbors, and constituents are pleading with me for safer streets.
And it’s precisely what this will do,” he remarked.
Reducing crime After the Senate approved the bill, Democratic Sen. Reporters were informed by London Lamar that the legislature had conveyed their endorsement of police brutality.
She declared, “What we did today will not stop crime.”.
“More than the existing laws, traffic stops have no effect on reducing crime or aiding in the capture of violent offenders.
It also implies that local governments lack the authority to enact laws protecting their own citizens. Regarding the Nichols family, RowVaughn Wells claims that this legislation jeopardizes Black Memphisans and tramples on her son’s legacy.
“Our son was killed after being stopped on false pretenses.
So tell us, should we keep holding these stops under false pretenses?
Since my stop and your stop are ultimately two different stops, she remarked.
While a federal civil rights investigation into the death of Nichols is ongoing against the Memphis Police Department, the measure becomes law.
AP Photo of Karen Pulfer Focht.
The police reform that was implemented after Tyre Nichols was killed by Memphis police is now void. Republican Gov. A law prohibiting local governments from enacting any legislation that would obstruct law enforcement’s ability to stop crime was signed into effect by Bill Lee on Thursday.
When WPLN asked for comment, the governor’s office did not get back to her right away.
a regional fix.
Rodney and RowVaughn Wells buried their son last year in front of a global audience. Outrage erupted after Tyre Nichols, 29, died at the hands of police in January of last year. Vice President Kamala Harris and his sister Keyana Dixon both spoke at his funeral.
“All I want is my baby brother back, but I see the world fighting for his justice and showing him love,” Dixon remarked.
Following Nichols’ passing, the Memphis City Council passed a number of laws intended to restructure the department’s police force. The Tyre Nichols Act outlawed “pretextual” traffic stops, in which a police officer stops a person for a relatively minor infraction, such as an expired tag or a broken tail light.
“After stopping our son Tyre, they offered a variety of justifications for their actions. RowVaughn Wells stated, “But as we all know, none of those justifications worked out.
the battle for legislation.
Earlier this month, RowVaughn and Rodney Wells visited Nashville to persuade legislators to oppose the bill that would repeal the police reform that was named in honor of their late son.
The black citizens of Memphis are being harassed by those who are ignorant of pretextual stops, the woman claimed.
When the Tennessee House advanced the bill, Nichols’ parents were not present. That’s because the bill’s Republican sponsor, Rep. They were informed that the bill will now be due the following week by John Gillespie of Memphis.
In other words, Wells said, “his word is basically no good to us.”.
In the chamber of the House, Democratic Rep. Memphis resident Justin J. Pearson also spoke out against the bill and its introduction date.
“You had a quick conversation with the Wells family and informed them that this bill wouldn’t likely be discussed until next Thursday,” he added. “You lied to them, and now you are before us on a bill that ought to be referred back to committee. “.
Disputed by Pearson was Gillespie. This will maintain community safety in Tennessee, he claims.
Safety on the streets is something that my constituents, neighbors, and community members are pleading for. And that’s precisely what this will accomplish,” he remarked.
putting an end to crime.
Following the bill’s passage in the Senate, Sen. London Lamar informed reporters that there was a message from the legislature indicating support for police brutality.
“The actions we took today won’t make crime go away,” she declared. “More than the existing laws, traffic stops have no effect on reducing crime or aiding in the capture of violent offenders. It also implies that local governments lack the authority to enact laws protecting their own citizens. “.
Concerning the Nichols family, RowVaughn Wells claims that this legislation jeopardizes Black Memphisans and tramples on her son’s legacy.
“Our son was murdered after being stopped on false pretenses. Since my stop and your stop are ultimately two different stops, you tell us, should we keep having these pretextual stops?'”.
Since the Memphis Police Department is already the subject of a federal civil rights investigation regarding Nichols’ death, the measure becomes law.
