On Feb. 2, CRRJ and colleagues at the Center for Law, Equity and Race (CLEAR) organized a community conversation on continuing police violence in Black communities. This followed last month’s brutal killing of Tyre Nichols by five police officers in Memphis, TN.
Northeastern Law School faculty, including CLEAR’s managing director, Deborah Jackson, shared their thoughts on eliminating police violence.
“Once again we find ourselves coming together to say the name of another victim of police violence,” said Jackson. “Another man, 29 years old, just trying to make his way home when he was stopped and brutally beaten by officers who took an oath to serve and protect.”
Northeastern Law professor Deborah Ramirez, who chairs CLEAR’s Criminal Justice Task Force, shared their research into new policing models that would redirect policing away from routine traffic enforcement.
Speaking about Nichols’ mother, RowVaughn Wells, Ramirez said “with dignity and compassion, she is urging us to continue the fight for justice.”
Following speakers, students were invited to share their thoughts and reactions to Nichols’ death and ongoing police violence.
The event was well-attended, with more than 70 staff and students in-person at Dockser Hall joining more than 120 participants on Zoom. It was co-sponsored by the Center on Crime, Race and Justice, the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
