NAACP Branch President’s Statement on Tyre Nichols’ Death

On Jan. 30, Elaine Johnson, president of the NAACP Santa Cruz County branch, issued this statement on Tyre Nichols, a Black man who died three days after being beaten during a traffic stop by five Black police officers in Memphis.

On behalf of the NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Tyre Nichols. May they know that the people of Santa Cruz County stand with them during this most difficult time.

Too many families have suffered the loss of loved ones at the hands of law enforcement officers who do not uphold the oath that they take to protect and serve. We know this will continue if law enforcement agencies don’t have brave and courageous