Kamala Harris, the US vice president, praised Tyre Nichols’s family’s courage and strength at the funeral of the 29-year old.

After being invited by Rev Al Sharpton to the pulpit, she stated: “We mourn alongside you and the peoples of this country mourn along with you.”

“Mothers all over the world pray that their baby’s body and life are safe.

“Yet, we have a father and a mother who mourn the loss of a young man who should still be here today.

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They have a grandson, but he doesn’t have a father. His siblings and brothers will be without their baby brother for the love of growing older.

She said, “When we look at it, this is a family that lost their son and brother through violence at the hands of people who had been charged to keep them safe.”

“When I consider the strength and courage of this family, it makes me think that it is time to speak truth. The violence was not committed in the interests of public safety.

“Was he also entitled to the right of being safe?”

She had earlier expressed her condolences for Tyre Nichols’ family, who died three days later after being beaten and beaten by police.

Hundreds of mourners are present at the church to remember George Floyd and Breonna Taylor who were both killed by police officers in 2020.

Reverend Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist, will deliver the eulogy.

The mourners were shown photographs taken by Mr Nichols as well as images of him as an infant and his favorite hobby of skating. A quote from the 29-year old was also displayed.

The ceremony will take place at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis. As mourners enter the church, the celebration choir sings “we love Tyre”.

The black coffin of Mr Nichols was surrounded with flowers and a painting by Martin Luther King.

Tiffany Randal, the mother of Jalen Randle, 29, who was shot in Houston by a Houston police officer in 2022, wrote a song dedicating it to Mr Nichols. She said: “I pray God heals your broken heart.” We are all fighting together.

She said, “All mothers around the world must come together to stop this.”

After being pulled over for a traffic violation on 7 January, Mr Nichols was kicked, punched and hit with a baton.

Five officers of the police force have been charged with second degree murder. Two other officers were dismissed.

After an investigation, it was found that Mr Nichols had been left untreated for nearly 15 minutes following the attack by Memphis Fire Department.

After the footage was released, protests took place in many US cities.