Tyree Talley testifies in support of George Floyd Act
*Correction: Tyree Talley’s name was misspelled as Tyler Talley in this story. We regret the error.
Yesterday *Tyree Talley, the Black Deaf man who was shot 12 times with riot control munitions and seriously injured by Austin Police officers during a Black Lives Matter protest in May 2020, testified before the *Texas House of Representatives yesterday to support the George Floyd Act.
[Video clip of testimony]
Tyree Talley: On May 31st 2020 that evening I went to downtown Austin and I was participating in a peaceful protest when I was walking in the crosswalk. I felt something graze my ear and felt a burning sensation. When that happened I immediately was hit in my groin area and they had expired munitions. I immediately took to the floor. The first thing that came to mind was to cover my eyes due to my deafness, my eyes are very important. I didn’t care about anything else in my body. I only got four senses. If I have something happen in my eyes, I’m down to three. So I was hit a total of 12 times and I was crouching down to the ground.
Interpreter for Talley: I was unable to work and lost wages. I suffered through a lot. I believe they must be held responsible. I am asking you to support House BIll 88. Thank you for your time. Thank you for listening.
The George Floyd Act is a bill that aims to increase accountability on police officers for misconduct. I was able to interview Talley after his testimony. He was accompanied by Cesar Rocha, a deaf activist.
Tyree Talley: It was overboard… Excessive force. I was standing in the middle. They shot at me from the top of the bridge and in front of me. If you saw me I was crouching in front of a line of police officers. They shot at me from front and back as well. From all directions. They shot 40 times but fortunately I was hit only 12 times. It could have been 15 or 20 times. I feel that if I was hit 15 times, I could have died. I don’t know.
Cesar Rocha: With this situation, it’s happened again and again. It keeps on going without accountability. History tells the story, but there are no consequences or punishment. We need to stop that and hold them accountable because how else do you stop the cycle? So that’s why there’s the George Floyd Act and they selected 50 people to testify and George Floyd’s sister was in a Zoom meeting earlier today. So I hope with the testimony it will make lawmakers realize things. One female indicated she supports it, but the rest (of the committee) is skeptical. If this act passes, then other states will look at us and follow us.
Tyree Talley: I’m doing this for the Deaf community. I don’t want this to happen to anyone. They (police) should be aware that Austin has the largest deaf community. #1 in the U.S. Maybe the top three. But it looks like APD is neglecting the deaf community and shooting at will. That’s why I’m taking them to court to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s about ADA rights as well.
Alex: Thank you for your time, Tyler Talley. He is still recovering from what happened and said it cost him a lot financially, mentally, and emotionally.
Tyree Talley: To be honest, I’ve looked at how others go through things such as PTSD or trauma. Now I realize that I do have trauma and I owe people an apology for the times I told them that they should move on or that they will be fine. But you should approach them in an appropriate way. Ask how you can help them. Ask how they can get better from that situation.
Alex: He said he would appreciate support. People can reach out to Tyler Talley on his Facebook account or to Cesar Rocha to get information on how they can support him.
[Sponsored Video from Convo: https://www.convorelay.com/download]
The Texas Tribune explained that the act was proposed by the Texas Legislative Black Caucus, but it faces a tough path to become law because it is not clear if Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) supports it.
*Clarification: Tyree Talley testified before the Texas House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee
https://www.dailymoth.com/blog/black-deaf-man-sues-austin-police-over-injuries-from-summer-protests
https://www.texastribune.org/2020/08/13/texas-george-floyd-act/