NEW YORK – Today, Schools Chancellor David C. Banks made the following statement regarding the released footage of the beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers:

“As many of you have now seen – the video out of Memphis shocks our consciousness and basic humanity. These images, like countless others, will stay with us.  We have seen far too many of these completely unacceptable acts, but what makes this case even more astounding is that it involves five Black male police officers who beat another Black man to death. I am outraged at this unspeakable lack of humanity. I know that many members of our school communities will feel the same as they return to school next week. I have called on all school leaders to provide safe, appropriate spaces for their community to engage and be heard. My deepest condolences to the family of Tyre Nichols, and I pray for our nation.”