“The tragic and wholly unnecessary beating and death of Tyre Nichols brings yet again into stark view the lethal junction between police brutality and racism. For many in the Black and African American community, the risk of harm or death at the hands of police remains a public health risk that is completely unacceptable and preventable. We clearly have not come far enough since the beating of Rodney King, the death of Breonna Taylor, the killing of George Floyd, and far too many others to name.
We call on the medical and public health communities, law enforcement, legislators, and policymakers to come together urgently to enact reforms that will preclude such tragedies from occurring in the future.”