RowVaughn Wells (born c. 1962) is an American social justice activist. She is the mother of Tyre Nichols, a man killed by Memphis police in January 2023. She advocates for the prevention of police brutality in the United States. Wells has influenced the Biden administration to pursue police reform.
RowVaughn Wells | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1962 (age 61–62) Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Known for | Social justice activism |
| Children | 4; including Tyre Nichols |
Life
editWells was born c. 1962 and is from Oakland, California.[1] She is the mother of Tyre Nichols who was killed by Memphis police officers in January 2023.[1] In the aftermath, she has advocated for the prevention of police brutality in the United States.[1] Wells has influenced the Biden administration to pursue police reform as a result of police brutality in the United States.[2] She praised Memphis police chief, Cerelyn J. Davis for her quick response.[3]
In February 2023, Wells and her husband, Rodney Wells visited the White House before attending the State of the Union Address at the invitation of the Congressional Black Caucus.[4][5] They received a standing ovation from members of Congress.[6] Wells joined reverend Al Sharpton to speak out about the death of her son at the House of Justice in Harlem in March 2023.[7][8] In April 2023, she was named to the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world for her strength and response to her son's death.[2][9]
In April 2023, Wells' lawyer, Benjamin Crump filed a federal suit against the Memphis Police Department.[10]
Wells is married to Ron Wells.[11] She has three children in addition to Nichols.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c Haines, Errin (2023-02-07). "'They need to see': RowVaughn Wells on what it means to attend Biden's State of the Union address". The 19th. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ a b Crump, Benjamin (2023-04-13). "RowVaughn Wells: The 100 Most Influential People of 2023". Time. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Sainz, Adrian (2023-02-05). "Tyre Nichols' mom, chief: Women on two sides of a tragedy". Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Muzaffar, Maroosha (2023-01-30). "Tyre Nichols' parents to attend State of the Union". The Independent. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Haines, Errin (2023-02-07). "'They need to see': RowVaughn Wells on what it means to attend Biden's State of the Union address". The 19th. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Daniels, Cheyanne M. (2023-02-08). "Lawmakers give standing ovation to Tyre Nichols's parents at State of the Union". The Hill. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ "Tyre Nichols' mother speaks out about son's death at House of Justice in Harlem". www.cbsnews.com. March 18, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Blair, Leonardo (2023-04-13). "Mother of Tyre Nichols says she is living on 'prayers' after police killing of son". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Magee, Keith (2023-01-30). "The Remarkable Response of RowVaughn Wells After Her Son Tyre Nichols' Death". Time. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
- ^ Sainz, Adrian; Loller, Travis (2023-04-19). "Tyre Nichols' family sues Memphis police over beating, death". Associated Press. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- ^ a b Finton, Lucas (January 12, 2024). "How Tyre Nichols' parents stood strong in their publicized grief, focused on son's life". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
