Photos: Mourners gather for the funeral of Tyre Nichols

The release of footage showing Memphis, Tennessee, police officers violently beating Tyre Nichols has renewed calls for Congress to pass police reform legislation.

The funeral of Tyre Nichols had all the hallmarks of what’s known as a homegoing service in Black American communities. But in addition to offering an outlet for the private mourning of Nichols’ family and friends, this ritual was also public and political.

Black and brown officers can be conditioned to view Black and brown people as suspect, advocates say.

In the years leading up to Tyre Nichols’ deadly arrest, Memphis police were dogged by a confluence of dangerous trends, including a chronic shortage of officers and a struggle to bring in recruits.