In the days since video was released showing police officers savagely beating Tyre Nichols, United Methodists have joined in grief and prayers for Nichols and his family. They also called for the recognition of Black people’s humanity.
From California to Louisiana to Iowa, United Methodists are responding with prayer, comfort for the grieving and renewed calls for advocacy against gun violence.
A national day of prayer and fasting on Feb. 1 has been declared by the Rev. Dennis Blackwell and the group Black Methodists for a Better Future to ask for God’s help curbing gun, domestic and economic violence as well as systemic racism.