A year after his death, hundreds rally to remember a person. His name was Eric Garner.
One year ago: July 17, 2014. A video of an encounter with NYPD, shows Eric Garner, on a city sidewalk, being forced to the pavement. He is repeatedly screaming "I can't breathe!" Eric Garner lost consciousness and was pronounced dead a short time later by the authorities.
Friday, Garner's youngest daughter, Legacy Miller, and her mother, Jewel Miller, released doves in front of the Tompkinsville store where Garner had his confrontation with officer Daniel Pantaleo.
Hundreds of people came to express their outrage for what happened and show support for the family that suffered. Tension in communities has been changing from fear to anger towards police with the media sensationalism of an old problem.
Start of the July 17th March at Columbus Circle 2015. Photo by Morgan Freeman
photo by Morgan Freeman
“First they are going to destroy the black community. And then who do you think they are going to come after next? They are coming for you,” a protester shouted.
photo by Morgan Freeman
Close to two dozen protestors were arrested around
Columbus Circle and on the streets during the July 17, 2015 March, New York City police officials commented.
During many arrests many protesters chanted many things. Most popular was, “Shame! Shame! Shame!” photo by Morgan Freeman
Some protesters were arrested for sitting in the crosswalk in an attempt to shut Manhattan traffic down. March leaders urged the protesters to keep walking before the police cleared the crosswalk. Photo by Morgan Freeman
Popular hip hop songs with new lyrics were sung to harass the police.
Rae Sremmurd “No Flex Zone” became, “No Cop Zone”
O.T. Genasis - “Coco” song became, “I'm in love with PO PO, Put my brother in choke hold.”
photo by Morgan Freeman
Tensions were high among the protesters against the police. NYPD remained calm, doing their best to keep traffic moving around the marching protesters.
The Eric Garner family believes the fight is not over even after the
civil agreement of 5.9 Million dollar settlement with the city and
new police reforms have been put in place. The family is going to continue pressing for federal civil rights charges.
The march ended at Union Square and dispersed peacefully. Photo by Morgan Freeman
The U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn are still investigating whether there is evidence to warrant charges that the officer violated Garner's civil rights. These kind of cases are rare after grand jury inaction or acquittal at state level.
Pantaleo has not been on active duty in the year since Garner's death and remains under an internal affairs review.The NYPD is refraining from making any decisions with the city and