Tony Hawk and BMX rider Rick Thorne are showing their support for the late Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who was fatally beaten by Memphis police last month.
The skateboarding legend and the BMX rider are autographing photos to raise money for the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund, which includes raising funds for building a public skatepark in Nichols’ honor. Hawk shared on Twitter that the ultimate goal is to “keep his legacy alive.”
My proceeds from these will go to the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund, which includes plans to build a public skatepark in his honor; as our worlds continue to grieve his loss. He was a talented skater among other admirable traits. Let's keep his legacy alive: https://t.co/wHTZfLzqq7
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) February 3, 2023
Hawk and Thorne will sell 1,000 copies of the autographed photos for $30 each, with half of the proceeds going towards helping Nichols’ family, building a skate park in his name and honoring his love for skateboarding.
Nichols, an avid skateboarder and father of a 4-year-old boy, was pulled over by Memphis police officers on Jan. 7. He died three days later from the injuries sustained during the traffic stop. Footage of the incident shows officers repeatedly punching, kicking and hitting him with a baton as he cried out for his mother.
In response to the tragedy, six officers involved in the deadly traffic stop have been fired and five of them have been charged with murder. A seventh officer, who remains unidentified, has been suspended.
