Skip to main content
Donate

Up Next

An image of RowVaughn and Rodney Wells, parents of Tyre Nichols, on a video call with "Democracy Now!" and an image of Tyre Nichols smiling.

Tyre Nichols: Parents Remember Son as 'Beautiful Soul' and Describe Video of Beating by Memphis Cops

Video
23:19
One image of a person wearing a hoodie on a video call with "Democracy Now!" and another image of a demonstrator holding up a yellow sign that reads "KC Tenants: Safe Healthy Homes for All."

Biden Proposes Renters Bill of Rights as Landlords Make Record Profits; Housing Advocates Want More

Video
10:07
Two images: one person wearing a white blazer, hoop earrings and glasses on a video call, and another person wearing a dark gray blazer and blue dress shirt on a video call.

As Asian Americans Reel After Mass Shootings in California, Will Congress Take Any Action on Guns?

Video
26:30
Images of BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors on a video call with "Democracy Now!" and her cousin Keenan Anderson wearing a dress shirt and tie and smiling.

Keenan Anderson: BLM Cofounder Patrisse Cullors Demands Justice for Cousin's Death After LAPD Tasing

Video
11:44
A man wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hoodie smiles, posing next to a "Trump 2024" flag hung on the wall near him.

Defeated New Mexico GOP Candidate Arrested Over Shootings at Homes of 4 Democratic Officials

Video
19:05
Image of a person speaking on "Democracy Now!" and an image of a person holding up a cardboard sign with a picture of a killed activist that reads "Their Blood Is On Your Hands."

Atlanta's $90M 'Cop City' Training Facility Moves Ahead After Police Kill Protester and Charge 19 Others

Video
9:24
Headshots of three Black scholars on video calls with "Democracy Now!"

College Board Strips Down African American Studies Curriculum: Roundtable Discussion

Video
33:00
Image of a glasses-wearing man speaking on "Democracy Now!" and an image of a Chinese surveillance balloon.

U.S. Downs Chinese Balloon as Blinken Cancels Summit and U.S. Expands Military Presence in Philippines

Video
19:44
Image of President Biden at the center podium in the House Chamber as people surrounding him stand to applaud, and an image of Matt Duss speaking on "Democracy Now!"

Biden's State of the Union: Matt Duss on the Risks of an Anti-China Consensus in Washington

Video
10:29
A headshot of Ralph Nader and an image of a newspaper spread in "Capitol Hill Citizen" with a headline that reads, "AFL-CIO AARP Push Medicare Disadvantage."

Ralph Nader on Saving Social Security, Fighting Corporate Crime, Worker Deaths and Launching Capitol Hill Citizen Newspaper

Video
21:23
A dark smoke cloud from an explosion releases into the air.

'Bomb Train' in Ohio Sickens Residents: Railroad Cutbacks, Corporate Greed Led to Toxic Disaster

Video
18:17
Two people in a sad embrace.

With Michigan State University Massacre, U.S. Averages More Than One Mass Shooting a Day

Video
9:01
Back to Show
Democracy Now!

'Elite' Police Units Face More Scrutiny as Memphis SCORPION Unit Disbanded over Tyre Nichols' Death

This clip is from the Jan. 31, 2023 broadcast.

Memphis police have revealed a sixth and a seventh officer have been placed on administrative leave in addition to the five fired officers over the death of Tyre Nichols, after Nichols was brutally beaten at a traffic stop. On Saturday, Memphis disbanded the police unit responsible for the killing, known as SCORPION, which stood for "Street Crimes Operation to Restore Peace in Our Neighborhood."

"Democracy Now!" looks more closely at these so-called special police units in cities nationwide that operate with little oversight with investigative reporter Radley Balko, author of "Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces" and of the criminal justice newsletter, The Watch. His opinion piece for The New York Times is headlined "Tyre Nichols's Death Proves Yet Again That 'Elite' Police Units Are a Disaster."
Support Provided By