Overview

• Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee has signed a law repealing Memphis' police traffic stop reforms, which were enacted after Tyre Nichols was fatally beaten by officers in January 2023.
• The repealed reforms included a ban on so-called pretextual traffic stops, like those for a broken taillight, aimed at reducing police abuses.
• Nichols' parents, who had advocated for the reforms, expressed deep disappointment, feeling marginalized by the legislative process and the governor's decision.
• Critics argue the repeal undermines efforts to address police violence and racial profiling, while supporters claim it's necessary for uniform crime prevention across the state.
• The U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating the Memphis Police Department for potential racially discriminatory policing practices.