Tyre Nichols’ Parents Invited to Biden’s State of the Union Address by Congressional Black Caucus
The parents of Tyre Nichols, the Black man who died after he was beaten by police in Tennessee, have accepted an invitation to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address next week.[0] The invitation was extended by the Congressional Black Caucus, which has requested a meeting with Biden to push for negotiations on national reforms to the U.S. justice and police systems.[1]
Rep. Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, said on Sunday that he had spoken to the Nichols family and extended the invitation as the president speaks before Congress on February 7th.[2] During his call, Horsford said he wanted to extend the group's condolences and to honor the legacy of Nichols.
Last Friday, Biden held a phone conversation with RowVaughn Wells and Rodney Wells, the mother and stepfather of Nichols. They were provided with a private viewing of the video that showed Nichols being viciously beaten by Memphis police before it was made public last week.[3] The White House reported that Biden spoke with the family and expressed his sympathy for the passing of their 29-year-old. He also praised their courage and fortitude.[4]
The five officers involved were terminated and accused of murder.[5] Nationwide protests ensued in response to the incident, prompting further demands for initiatives to counter police brutality and racism in law enforcement.[6]
At the address was Brandon Tsay, a 26-year-old man who was recently honored for his brave act of disarming the Monterey Park gunman last weekend.[2] Roughly 20,000 people attended the annual Alhambra Lunar New Year Festival on Sunday, where Tsay was honored, reported the Pasadena Star-News.[7] At the ceremony, the Alhambra Police Department presented him with a medal of courage and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) gave him a certificate of congressional recognition.[7]
President Biden plans to use his second State of the Union address to showcase how the laws enacted during the last two years have helped to deliver on the pledges he made to voters – mainly related to the economy – as he prepares for a probable re-election campaign.[1] He is also likely to address continued threats to democracy and hot-button political issues such as further gun safety measures and immigration.[4]
Horford further elucidated the caucus's call for sweeping police reform in a subsequent statement.[7]
0. “Tyre Nichols's parents accept invitation to attend State of the Union” WIVB.com – News 4, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.wivb.com/hill-politics/tyre-nicholss-parents-accept-invitation-to-attend-state-of-the-union/
1. “Tyre Nichols' mother, stepfather to attend Biden State of the Union speech” TODAY, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.todayonline.com/world/tyre-nichols-mother-stepfather-attend-biden-state-union-speech-2099486
2. “Monterey Park hero and Tyre Nichols' family invited to attend State of the Union address” CNN, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/29/politics/sotu-guests-tyre-nichols-parents-brandon-tsay/index.html
3. “Tyre Nichols' parents and man who disarmed Monterey Park gunman invited to Biden's State of the Union” NBC News, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/tyre-nichols-parents-man-disarmed-monterey-park-gunman-invited-bidens-rcna68137
4. “Tyre Nichols' parents and man who disarmed Monterey Park gunman invited to Biden's State of the Union” msnNOW, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/tyre-nichols-parents-and-man-who-disarmed-monterey-park-gunman-invited-to-bidens-state-of-the-union/ar-AA16TL3x
5. “Tyre Nichols' parents will attend Biden's State of the Union next month” WATN – Local 24, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/community/tyre-nichols-parents-biden-state-of-the-union/522-fe92c151-42eb-47d2-b9a2-7dc937584d9e
6. “Parents Of Tyre Nichols Accept Invitation To State Of The Union” HuffPost, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tyre-nichols-parents-state-of-the-union_n_63d72a70e4b0c2b49add3c35
7. “Tyre Nichols' Family Accepts Invite to State of the Union Address” The Daily Beast, 30 Jan. 2023, https://www.thedailybeast.com/tyre-nichols-family-monterey-park-hero-brandon-tsay-invited-to-state-of-the-union
