Washington, DC – As the public learns more about the killing of Tyre Nichols, The Arc stands in solidarity with his family and friends.

“Yet again, the nation watches another video exposing police violence against a Black man after a traffic stop.  We are horrified to witness the brutalization of an unarmed man. Tyre had Crohn’s disease, which made the blows against his very lean body more damaging. Another dying Black son is crying out for his mother and another Black life ended by people who pledge to protect all of us in our communities.

“We speak out in solidarity with Tyre’s family and friends because so many people in The Arc watch with horror as this happens again, and again – and our minds also go to the fear in all of us that people with disabilities within BIPOC or other marginalized communities can end up in the same deadly circumstances as Tyre, during a routine encounter with police.

“The Arc believes everyone belongs and will advocate tirelessly to make this happen. With their intersecting identities, all members of the disability community are valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. And that belief is steadfast in solidarity with the Nichols family and friends, whom we offer our deepest sympathies and condolences for their loss,” said Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc.

As the largest community-based organization advocating for and with, and serving, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families, The Arc works tirelessly to uphold our vision “for people with IDD to be valued members of their communities, have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and a future that is secure.”

The Arc advocates for and serves people wit­­h intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of nearly 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis.

Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.