View source for Death of Eric Garner

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{{Use American English|date=August 2014}}
{{use mdy dates|date=August 2014}}
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| date                     = {{start date|2014|07|17}} 
| time                     = Approx. 4:45&nbsp;p.m. ([[Eastern Time Zone|EST]])
| place                    = 202 Bay Street, [[Staten Island]], [[New York]]
| also known as            = 
| cause                    = Compression of neck (chokehold), compression of chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police<ref>{{cite news|title=Medical Examiner Rules Eric Garner's Death a Homicide, Says He Was Killed By Chokehold|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Eric-Garner-Chokehold-Police-Custody-Cause-of-Death-Staten-Island-Medical-Examiner-269396151.html|accessdate=5 December 2014|publisher=NBC New York|date=12 August 2014}}</ref>
| organisers               = 
| first reporter           = ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'' (New York)
| filmed by                = Ramsey Orta<ref name=orta/>
| participants             = Daniel Pantaleo and Justin Damico ([[New York City Police Department|NYPD]] officers)
| outcome                  = No [[indictment]] of Pantaleo<ref name="cnn 20141203"/><ref name="usa 20141203"/>
| reported deaths          = 1 
| reported injuries        = 
| reported missing         = 
| reported property damage = 
| burial                   = 
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| charges                  = 
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| publication bans         = 
| litigation               = $75 million lawsuit filed by Garner's family against New York City, the [[New York City Police Department]] (NYPD), and six NYPD officers<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/75-million-suit-over-nyc-chokehold-death-planned-200043664.html $75 million suit over NYC chokehold death planned], [[Associated Press]], October 7, 2014.</ref>
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On July 17, 2014, '''Eric Garner''' died<!--DO NOT PUT MURDERED OR KILLED, THAT IS NOT NEUTRAL, SEE [[WP:NPOV]]--> in the [[Tompkinsville, Staten Island|Tompkinsville]] neighborhood of [[Staten Island]], [[New York]], after a police officer put him in an apparent<ref name=Civil>{{cite news|title=Eric Garner death: US orders civil rights inquiry|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30323750|publisher=BBC|date=December 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Fresh>{{cite news|title=Eric Garner death: Fresh protests across US cities|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30341101|publisher=BBC|date=December 5, 2014}}</ref><ref name=BBC>{{cite news|title=Eric Garner: No charges in NY chokehold case|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30317807|publisher=BBC|date=December 3, 2014}}</ref>  [[chokehold]] for about 19 seconds,<ref name=orta>{{cite news 
| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/staten-island-man-dies-puts-choke-hold-article-1.1871486
| deadurl=no
| title=Staten Island man dies after NYPD cop puts him in chokehold 
| newspaper=New York Daily News 
| date=July 17, 2014 
| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719224838/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/staten-island-man-dies-puts-choke-hold-article-1.1871486
| archivedate=July 19, 2014
| accessdate=July 19, 2014}}</ref> a tactic banned by the [[New York City Police Department]] (NYPD).<ref name="Sullivan">
{{cite news 
|last=Sullivan 
|first=C. 
|date=July 18, 2014 
|title=Man dies after suffering heart attack during arrest
|url=http://nypost.com/2014/07/18/man-dies-after-suffering-heart-attack-during-arrest/ 
|newspaper=New York Post 
|location=New York City 
|publisher=Jesse Angelo 
|accessdate=August 10, 2014 }}
</ref><ref name="Goodman">
{{cite news 
|last=Goodman 
|first=David 
|date=August 4, 2014 
|title=Difficult Decisions Ahead in Responding to Police Chokehold Homicide
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/05/nyregion/after-eric-garner-chokehold-prosecuting-police-is-an-option.html 
|newspaper=The New York Times 
|location=New York City 
|publisher=Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr. 
|accessdate=August 10, 2014 }}</ref> 
Garner was initially approached by officer Justin Damico on suspicion of selling "loosies", [[Cigarette taxes in the United States|single cigarettes from packs without tax stamps]].<ref name="NYDailyNews">{{cite news
|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/staten-island-da-man-death-nypd-chokehold-article-1.1871946 
|title=Two cops pulled off streets, Staten Island DA looking into death of dad of six after NYPD cop put him in chokehold during sidewalk takedown 
|newspaper=New York Daily News
|location= New York
|date=July 18, 2014
|accessdate=December 3, 2014}}</ref> 
After Garner expressed to the police that he was tired of being harassed and that he was not selling cigarettes, officers made the move to arrest Garner. Officer Daniel Pantaleo, also on scene, put his arms around the much taller Garner's neck, applying an apparent chokehold shown in a video recording of the event, which has since gone viral. While lying facedown on the sidewalk surrounded by four officers, Garner is heard repeating "I can't breathe" 11 times.<ref name=orta>{{cite news 
| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/staten-island-man-dies-puts-choke-hold-article-1.1871486
| deadurl=no
| title=Staten Island man dies after NYPD cop puts him in chokehold 
| newspaper=New York Daily News 
| date=July 17, 2014 
| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719224838/http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/staten-island-man-dies-puts-choke-hold-article-1.1871486
| archivedate=July 19, 2014
| accessdate=July 19, 2014}}</ref> Garner was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at the hospital.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Media Availability With Police Commissioner Bratton On The Death Of Eric Garner|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/360-14/transcript-mayor-de-blasio-holds-media-availability-police-commissioner-bratton-the-death}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=I can't breathe|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/editorials/2014/12/04/editorial-breathe/19908063/|publisher=The Courier Journal|accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref>

After the incident, city medical examiners concluded that Garner was killed by neck compression from the apparent chokehold, along with "the compression of his chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police". Contributing factors included bronchial asthma, heart disease, obesity, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.<ref>{{cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Disquiet in NYPD ranks over Bill de Blasio's perceived anti-police stance|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/09/disquiet-nypd-bill-de-blasio-anti-police-stance |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London 
|publisher=Guardian News and Media |date=August 9, 2014 |accessdate=August 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Eric-Garner-Chokehold-Police-Custody-Cause-of-Death-Staten-Island-Medical-Examiner-269396151.html|title = Medical Examiner Rules Eric Garner's Death a Homicide, Says He Was Killed By Chokehold|date = August 21, 2014|accessdate = December 3, 2014|publisher = NBC New York }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> As a result of Garner's death, four [[Emergency medical technician|EMT]]s and [[paramedic]]s who responded to the scene were suspended without pay on July 21, 2014;<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Staten-Island-Chokehold-Arrest-Death-Staten-Island-Eric-Garner-Video-NYPD-267913291.html | title=4 EMS Workers Suspended Without Pay in Chokehold Arrest | work=NBC News | date=23 July 2014 | accessdate=6 December 2014 | author=Siff, Andrew}}</ref> officers Damico and Pantaleo were placed on desk duty, and Pantaleo was stripped of his service gun and badge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/19/nypd-daniel-pantaleo-chok_n_5602742.html|title=NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo Stripped Of Gun, Badge After Chokehold Death|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref>

On December 3, 2014, a grand jury decided not to indict officer Pantaleo.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/03/chokehold-grand-jury/19804577/| title=Lawyer: No charges in NYC chokehold death; federal inquiry launched| work=USA Today| date=December 3, 2014| accessdate=December 3, 2014| last=Eversley| first=Melanie}}</ref> The event stirred public protests<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2703095/Funeral-held-man-died-NY-police-custody.html|title='When does your morality kick in': Al Sharpton demands justice in defiant speech against NYPD at funeral of father who died after officer put him choke hold|author=Associated Press |newspaper=Mail Online|date=July 23, 2014|accessdate= }}</ref> and rallies<ref name=WashingtonPost>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2014/07/19/new-video-purports-to-show-aftermath-of-the-chokehold-that-led-to-eric-garners-death/
|title=New video purports to show aftermath of the chokehold that led to Eric Garner’s death|author=Niraj Chokshi|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=July 19, 2014
|accessdate=July 29, 2014}}</ref> with charges of [[police brutality]] and was broadcast nationally over various media networks.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/27/commissioner-bratton-expects-lawsuits-to-be-filed-in-wake-of-eric-garners-death/ |title=Commissioner Bratton Expects Lawsuits To Be Filed In Wake Of Eric Garner’s Death|publisher=CBS |date=July 27, 2014|accessdate=July 29, 2014}}</ref><ref name=Time>{{cite news 
|url=http://time.com/#3016326/eric-garner-video-police-chokehold-death/|title=Behind the Video of Eric Garner’s Deadly Confrontation With New York Police
|first=Josh |last=Sanburn |publisher=TIME |date=July 22, 2014|accessdate=July 29, 2014}}</ref> Attorney General [[Eric Holder]] announced that the Justice Department would launch an "independent, thorough, fair, and expeditious" civil rights investigation into Garner’s death.<ref name=NYTimes719>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/19/nyregion/staten-island-man-dies-after-he-is-put-in-chokehold-during-arrest.html?_r=0|title=Man's Death After Chokehold Raises Old Issue for the Police|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 19, 2014}}</ref>

==Background==

===Eric Garner===
'''Eric Garner''' (September 15, 1970 – July 17, 2014) had been employed as a [[horticulture|horticulturist]] at the [[New York City Department of Parks and Recreation]].<ref name=NYTimes719>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/19/nyregion/staten-island-man-dies-after-he-is-put-in-chokehold-during-arrest.html?_r=0|title=Man's Death After Chokehold Raises Old Issue for the Police|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=July 19, 2014}}</ref> Garner was a {{convert|350|lb|adj=on}}, 43-year-old, 6'3" (1.91&nbsp;m) tall, [[African American]] man.<ref name="Sullivan"/><ref name="Goodman"/> He has been described by his friends as a "neighborhood peacemaker" and as a generous, congenial person.<ref name=":0">{{cite web| url=http://news.yahoo.com/friends-man-nyc-chokehold-case-gentle-giant-205839377.html| title=Friends: Man in NYC chokehold case 'gentle giant'| work=[[Yahoo! News]]| date=July 21, 2014| accessdate=July 21, 2014| author=Blidner, Rachelle}}</ref> He had six children.<ref name=NYDailyNews/> Garner had been previously arrested and was out on bail for selling untaxed cigarettes, driving without a license, marijuana possession, and false personation. Garner had a criminal record that includes more than 30 arrests dating back to 1980 on charges such as assault, resisting arrest, grand larceny. An official said the charges include multiple incidents in which he was arrested for selling unlicensed cigarettes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-police-officer-wont-face-criminal-charges-in-eric-garner-death-1417635275?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTTopStories|title=New York City Police Officer Won’t Face Criminal Charges in Eric Garner Death|author=Rebecca Davis O’Brien, Michael Howard Saul and Pervaiz Shallwani|date=December 4, 2014|work=WSJ|accessdate=December 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Donnelly|first1=Frank|title=Misdemeanor cases over alleged untaxed cigarettes preceded fatal police incident with Eric Garner|url=http://www.silive.com/northshore/index.ssf/2014/07/eric_garner_who_died_in_police.html|accessdate=August 8, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=DeNinno|first1=Nadine|title=Eric Garner Died After NYPD Put Him In A Chokehold, Slammed His Head On Ground During Arrest [VIDEO]|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/eric-garner-died-after-nypd-put-him-chokehold-slammed-his-head-ground-during-arrest-video-1633114|publisher=International Business Times|accessdate=July 19, 2014}}</ref>

===Daniel Pantaleo===
'''Daniel Pantaleo''' is a white<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/03/justice/new-york-grand-jury-chokehold/|title=N.Y. cop not indicted in chokehold death - CNN.com|author=Ray Sanchez and Shimon Prokupecz, CNN|date=December 3, 2014|work=CNN}}</ref> New York City Police Department officer who was, at the time of Garner's death, age 29 and living in [[Eltingville, Staten Island]].<ref>Prendergast, Daniel; Schram, Jamie. [http://nypost.com/2014/07/22/officer-who-choked-man-receiving-death-threats/ Officer in chokehold arrest receives death threats online], ''[[New York Post]]'', July 22, 2014.</ref> Pantaleo's father was a [[New York City Fire Department]] firefighter, and his uncle was a NYPD officer. He graduated from [[Monsignor Farrell High School]] and received a bachelor's degree from [[College of Staten Island]]. He joined the NYPD in 2006.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/us/police-officer-daniel-pantaleo/ Eric Garner case: Cop 'model officer,' supporters say], [[CNN]], December 5, 2014.</ref> Pantaleo was the subject of two civil rights lawsuits in 2013 where [[plaintiff]]s accused Pantaleo of falsely arresting them and abusing them. In one of the cases, Pantaleo and other officers ordered two black men to strip naked on the street for a search and the charges against the men were dismissed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1412/01/acd.01.html|title=CNN: Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees transcript Dec. 1, 2014|date=December 1, 2014|accessdate=December 4, 2014|work=[[CNN]]}}</ref><ref>Jonsson, Patrik. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/19/nypd-daniel-pantaleo-chok_n_5602742.html NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo Stripped Of Gun, Badge After Chokehold Death], ''[[Huffington Post]]'', 19 July 2014.</ref><ref name=csm>Jonsson, Patrik. [http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2014/0802/Eric-Garner-ruled-victim-of-chokehold-homicide-Should-a-grand-jury-indict-video Eric Garner ruled victim of chokehold ‘homicide’: Should a grand jury indict?], ''[[Christian Science Monitor]]'', August 2, 2014.</ref>

==Death==
On July 17, 2014, at 4:45&nbsp;p.m., Eric Garner was approached by a [[Undercover#Plainclothes law enforcement|plainclothes police officer]], Justin Damico, in front of a beauty supply store at 202 Bay Street in the [[Tompkinsville, Staten Island|Tompkinsville]] neighborhood in Staten Island. After telling the police officers, "Get away [garbled] for what? Every time you see me, you want to mess with me. I'm tired of it. It stops today. Why would you...? Everyone standing here will tell you I didn't do nothing. I did not sell nothing. Because everytime you see me, you want to harass me. You want to stop me [garbled] Selling cigarettes. I'm minding my business, officer, I'm minding my business. Please just leave me alone. I told you the last time, please just leave me alone."<ref name=gothamist>[http://gothamist.com/2014/07/20/nypd_strips_badge_gun_from_cop_invo.php#photo-1 NYPD Strips Badge, Gun From Cop Involved In Fatal Chokehold], ''[[Gothamist]]'', July 20, 2014.</ref> When an attempt to take physical hold of Garner was made, he stated, "Don't touch me, please." He was then put in an apparent [[chokehold]] from behind by officer Daniel Pantaleo, and the video shows officer Pantaleo using his hands to push Garner's head down into the sidewalk. Use of the chokehold has been prohibited by New York City Police Department policy since 1993.<ref name="1993 Ban">{{cite news | url=http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/24/nyregion/kelly-bans-choke-holds-by-officers.html | title=Kelly Bans Choke Holds By Officers | work=[[NYT]] | date=November 24, 1993 | accessdate=December 6, 2014 | author=[[Ian Fisher (journalist)|Ian Fisher]]}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{cite web| url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/nypd-cop-chokehold-death-loses-gun-badge/story?id=24634470| title=NYPD Cop in Chokehold Death Loses Gun, Badge| work=[[ABC News]]| date=July 19, 2014| accessdate=July 19, 2014|author=World News}}</ref> Once down and surrounded by four officers,  Garner is heard to repeatedly state, "I can't breathe".  According to Police Commissioner [[Bill Bratton]], an ambulance was immediately called to the scene and Garner was transported to [[Richmond University Medical Center]]. He went into cardiac arrest while he was in the vehicle and was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at the hospital.<ref>{{cite web|title=Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Holds Media Availability With Police Commissioner Bratton On The Death Of Eric Garner| date=July 18, 2014 | accessdate=December 6, 2014 |publisher=Office of [[the Mayor of New York City]]|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/360-14/transcript-mayor-de-blasio-holds-media-availability-police-commissioner-bratton-the-death}}</ref>  A second video apparently taken by a bystander was later released that appears to show that Garner lay motionless and unresponsive for several minutes before an ambulance arrived.<ref name=WashingtonPost/><ref name="SIlive.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07 cops_dug_through_garners_pocke.html|title=New video shows Eric Garner motionless on ground as police wait for EMS|work = [[Staten Island Advance]]|date=July 19, 2014| accessdate=July 19, 2014| author=Koeske, Zack }}</ref>

Garner's death was recorded by Ramsey Orta, a friend of Garner's.<ref name="orta"/><ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/ramsey-orta-indictment-eric-garner_n_6264746.html A Grand Jury Did Indict One Person Involved In Eric Garner's Killing -- The Man Who Filmed It], Nick Wing, ''[[Huffington Post]]'', December 3, 2014</ref>

==Aftermath==
Three weeks after recording his friend's arrest on his cell phone, Ramsey Orta was arrested on weapons charges.<ref name=orta>NY Times, 2014-08-03, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/04/nyregion/after-recording-eric-garner-chokehold-ramsey-orta-gets-charged-with-gun-possession.html</ref> [[Al Sharpton]] made a statement that prosecuting Orta while also calling him as a witness could constitute a [[conflict of interest]].<ref name=orta/>

===Investigation and grand jury===
On July 20, 2014, the officer who grabbed Garner by the neck, Daniel Pantaleo,<ref name=Time/> was put on desk duty and stripped of his service handgun and badge.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://abcnews.go.com/US/nypd-cops-chokehold-caused-injury-mans-throat/story?id=24640347 |title= NYPD Cop's Chokehold May Not Have Caused Serious Injury to Man's Throat| publisher=ABC News |first1= Josh |last1= Margolin |first2= Ron |last2= Cliborne |first3= Mark |last3= Crudele |date= 20 July 2014 |accessdate= 29 July 2014}}</ref> Officer Justin Damico was allowed to keep his badge and handgun but was placed on desk duty.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/wife-man-filmed-chokehold-arrested-article-1.1893790#cAOs5mib4wBv4MOC.97 | title= NYPD No. 3's order to crack down on selling loose cigarettes led to chokehold death of Eric Garner |first1= John |last1= Marzulli |first2= Rocco |last2= Parascandola |first3= Thomas |last3= Tracy |newspaper= [[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |date= 7 August 2014}}</ref> Four of the EMTs and paramedics who responded to Garner's respiratory distress were suspended without pay on July 21,<ref name=Time/> while the hospital where they worked, [[Richmond University Medical Center]], conducted its own investigation into the incident.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/07/emts_and_paramedics_who_respon.html
|title=EMTs and paramedics who responded to Eric Garner have been suspended without pay by hospital| work=[[Staten Island Advance]]| date=July 21, 2014
|accessdate=July 22, 2014|last= Annese |first= John M.}}</ref> The two paramedics have since been returned to their regular duties.

Garner's death was found by the [[Office of Chief Medical Examiner of the City of New York|New York City Medical Examiner's Office]] to be a result of compression to the neck, compression to the body, and prone positioning, along with [[asthma]], heart disease and obesity as contributing factors.<ref>{{cite news| title= Medical examiner says chokehold by police officer caused death of NYC man; ruled homicide | publisher= Fox News| agency= Associated Press | url= http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/08/01/medical-examiner-says-chokehold-by-police-officer-caused-death-nyc-man-ruled/ | date= 1 August 2014 | accessdate= 4 December 2014}}</ref> There was no damage to the windpipe or neckbones.<ref>{{cite news| title= Man in chokehold had no throat damage | url=http://nypost.com/2014/07/19/man-in-chokehold-death-had-no-throat-damage-autopsy/}}</ref> On August 1, the medical examiner's spokesperson, Julie Bolcer, announced that Garner's death has been ruled a [[homicide]].<ref name="pearson">{{cite news| url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/medical-examiner-says-chokehold-police-officer-caused-death-nyc-man-ruled-homicide
|title=Official: Police chokehold caused NYC man's death| work=Associated Press| date=August 1, 2014| accessdate=August 1, 2014| last= Pearson |first= Jake}}</ref> {{as of|2014|12|03|df=us}} the [[United States Department of Justice]] launched further investigation towards the death.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redeyechicago.com/news/chi-eric-garner-chokehold-grand-jury-verdict-20141203,0,5325686.story|title=Department of Justice to investigate NY chokehold death: U.S. official| agency=''Tribune'' wire report|date=December 3, 2014|work=redeyechicago.com}}</ref>

A [[Grand juries in the United States|grand jury]] was convened to hear evidence prior to deliberating whether to file charges against Officer Pantaleo. On December 3, 2014, the Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo.<ref name="cnn 20141203">{{Cite web|url = http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/03/justice/new-york-grand-jury-chokehold/index.html?hpt=hp_t1|title = N.Y. cop not indicted in choke hold death|date = December 3, 2014|accessdate = December 3, 2014|website= CNN.com| last= Sanchez|first= Ray|last2= Debucquoy-Dodley|first2 = Dominique}}</ref><ref name="usa 20141203">{{cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/03/chokehold-grand-jury/19804577/| title=Lawyer: Cop in chokehold case won't be charged
| work=USA Today| date=3 December 2014| accessdate=3 December 2014|last= Eversley |first= Melanie}}</ref>

===Reaction===

====Public====
[[File:TAG Sharpton Esaw Garner.jpg|thumb|250px|upright|[[Al Sharpton]] and Eric Garner's wife, Esaw Garner (right), at a protest in Staten Island on July 19, 2014.]]
[[Al Sharpton]] organized a peaceful protest in Staten Island on the afternoon of July 19, and condemned the police's use of the chokehold on Garner, saying that "there is no justification" for it.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-sharpton-events-20140719-story.html
|title=Rev. Al Sharpton leads calls for justice in NYPD chokehold death|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]| date=July 19, 2014| accessdate=July 19, 2014| author=Queally, James}}</ref>

On July 29, a protest was held in [[Times Square]], organized by WalkRunFly Productions and poet Daniel J. Watts. The protest was in the form of poetry and many [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] entertainers participated in the event.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpfTos6NroM#t=113 I Can't Breathe], [[YouTube]], WalkRunFly Productions, July 29, 2014.</ref> [[Al Sharpton]] originally planned to lead a protest on August 23, in which participants would drive over the [[Verrazano–Narrows Bridge]], then travel to the site of the altercation and the office of District Attorney [[Daniel M. Donovan, Jr.]]<ref>Allen, Jonathan. [http://news.yahoo.com/bridge-protest-over-nyc-mans-arrest-death-proceed-171924935.html Bridge protest over NYC man's arrest death to proceed], ''[[Reuters]]'', August 9, 2014.</ref> This idea was scrapped in favor of Sharpton leading a peaceful march along Bay Street in Staten Island, where Garner died; police estimated that over 2,500 people participated in the march.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/23/thousands-to-call-for-action-over-death-of-eric-garner-at-staten-island-march-and-rally/|title=Rev. Al Sharpton Leads March, Rally Over Eric Garner’s Death On Staten Island|publisher=CBSNewYork/AP|date=August 23, 2014|accessdate=August 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>BBC News [http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28917198 Eric Garner death: Thousands rally in Staten Island] [[BBC]] August 24, 2014, Accessed August 27, 2014</ref>

After the Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo on December 3, people in New York City and [[San Francisco]] gathered in protest, demonstrating with several [[die-in]]s.<ref>[http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Bay-Area-protesters-denounce-police-killing-of-5933671.php Oakland, S.F. protesters denounce police killing of Eric Garner], Vivian Ho, Peter Fimrite and Kale Williams, "[[San Francisco Chronicle]]", Wednesday, December 3, 2014</ref><ref>{{citation |title=‘I can’t breathe’: Why Eric Garner protests are gaining momentum |author= Peniel Joseph |date=December 5, 2014 |publisher=Reuters |quote=[[Black Lives Matter]] }}</ref> On December 5, thousands gathered in peaceful protest on the [[Boston Common]] in [[Boston]], and then marched around the downtown area, blocking traffic, especially on [[Interstate 90 in Massachusetts|I-90]], in addition to staging "die-ins".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Anderson|first1=Travis|title=Thousands protest Eric Garner case in downtown Boston|url=http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/12/04/protest-planned-christmas-tree-lighting-common/875sx4ZA1JcHliKte9UyCJ/story.html|accessdate=5 December 2014|work=Boston Globe}}</ref> Protests also occurred in [[Chicago]], [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Baltimore]], and [[Atlanta]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Protesters Halt Traffic On Bridges | work=New York Daily News | date=5 December 2014 | accessdate=5 December 2014}}</ref> At least 300 people were arrested at the New York City protests on December 4 and 5, most of them for charges of [[disorderly conduct]] or refusal to clear the streets, but two for assault on a police officer.<ref name=arrestsABCNews>[http://abcnews.go.com/US/protesters-police-clash-york-city-eric-garner-decision/story?id=27383303 223 Arrested as Protesters, Police Clash in New York City Over Eric Garner Decision], [[ABC News]], December 5, 2014.</ref><ref>[wsj.com/articles/more-than-200-arrested-in-second-night-of-new-york-city- http://online.wsj.com/articles/more-than-200-arrested-in-second-night-of-new-york-city-protests-1417792930], ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'', December 5, 2014.</ref> On December 6, 300 protesters marched in [[Berkeley, California]] as well.<ref>[http://m.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Protesters-march-again-in-S-F-and-Berkeley-5940498.php Violence Mars new protests in Berkeley], ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''</ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/protesters-injure-police-officer-berkeley-061759579.html Berkeley protesters smash windows, two officers hurt], [[Associated Press]], December 6, 2014.</ref>

====Politicians====
[[Peter T. King|Peter King]], a [[List of current members of the United States House of Representatives by age and generation|U.S. Representative for New York,]] stated that if Eric Garner had been healthier, he would not have died after a police officer placed him in a chokehold.  "If he had not had asthma, and a heart condition and was so obese, almost definitely he would not have died from this."  King added that there "was not a hint" that anyone used any racial epithets, and that if Garner were a "350-pound white guy, he would have been treated the same."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/peter-king-eric-garner_n_6265748.html| title=Peter King Says Eric Garner Would Not Have Died From Chokehold Were He Not Obese}}</ref>

[[New York City Mayor]] [[Bill de Blasio]] called Garner's death a "terrible tragedy."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2014/0719/How-minor-crime-questioning-led-to-chokehold-death-of-Eric-Garner| title=How minor crime questioning led to chokehold death of Eric Garner
| work=[[Christian Science Monitor]]| date=July 19, 2014| accessdate=July 19, 2014| author=Jonsson, Patrik}}</ref> De Blasio, at a July 31 roundtable meeting in response to the death, convened with police officers and political activists, called upon mutual respect and understanding. On August 1, in a statement, the mayor urged all parties involved to create a dialogue, and find a path "to heal the wounds from decades of mistrust and create a culture where the police department and the communities they protect respect each other".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/379-14/transcript-mayor-de-blasio-hosts-roundtable-police-community-relations#/0
|title=Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Hosts Roundtable on Police-Community Relations|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
|date=July 31, 2014|website=Government of New York City|publisher=[[Mayor of New York City]]|accessdate=August 10, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www1.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/382-14/statement-mayor-bill-de-blasio-the-medical-examiner-s-report-the-death-eric-garner#
|title=Statement of Mayor Bill de Blasio on the Medical Examiner's Report on the Death of Eric Garner|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
|date=August 1, 2014|website=Government of New York City|publisher=[[Mayor of New York City]]|accessdate=August 10, 2014}}</ref> [[New York Governor]] [[Andrew Cuomo]] said that New York State should consider appointing a special prosecutor to handle cases of alleged police brutality.   He told CNN: "We have a problem.    Let's acknowledge it."<ref>Larry Celona, Kirstan Conley, Bruce Golding - New York Post - ''Officers seethe as Hizzoner warns of cop 'dangers' ''  - 5 December 2014 - page 6. Retrieved 7 December 2014.</ref>

[[United States Attorney General|U.S. Attorney General]] [[Eric Holder]] said that the Department of Justice was "closely monitoring" investigations into Garner's death.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/eric-holder-justice-department-closely-monitoring-chokehold-probe-1406319304
|title=Eric Holder: Justice Department 'Closely Monitoring' Chokehold Probe| work=[[Wall Street Journal]]|date=July 25, 2014| accessdate=July 26, 2014
|author=Barrett, Devlin}}</ref>

Two [[U.S. President]]s have expressed thoughts about Garner's death. [[Barack Obama]] addressed the grand jury's decision by making a speech, stating that Garner's death and the legal outcome of it is an "American problem."<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/03/obama-eric-garner-decision_n_6264762.html Obama Reacts to Eric Garner Decision: 'This is an American Problem'], ''[[Huffington Post]]'', December 4, 2014.</ref>  Former U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] said he found the verdict "hard to understand" and "very sad" in an interview.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/george-w-bush-eric-garner-reaction-113349.html George W. Bush weighs in on Eric Garner death], ''[[Politico]]'', December 5, 2014.</ref>

====Police====
As a result of Eric Garner's death, Police Commissioner [[William Bratton]] ordered an extensive review of the NYPD's training procedures, specifically focusing on the appropriate amount of force that can be used while detaining a suspect.<ref name=cnn82>Sanchez, Ray. [http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/01/justice/new-york-choke-hold-death/index.html?hpt=hp_t4 Choke hold by cop killed NY man, medical examiner says], [[CNN]], August 2, 2014.</ref>  Patrick Lynch, leader of the police union Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, challenged the claim that a chokehold was used.<ref>{{cite news|last=Goodman|first=David|date=August 5, 2014|title=Handling of New York Chokehold Cases ‘Disappointing,’ Review Board Chief Says|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/06/nyregion/handling-of-new-york-chokehold-cases-disappointing-review-board-chief-says.html|newspaper=The New York Times|location=New York City|publisher=Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.|accessdate=August 10, 2014}}</ref>  Police union officials and Pantaleo’s lawyer argued that Pantaleo did not use the chokehold, but instead used a NYPD-taught takedown move because Garner was resisting arrest.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Eversley|first1=Melanie|last2=James| first2=Mike|date=December 4, 2014|title=No charges in NYC chokehold death; federal inquiry launched|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/12/03/chokehold-grand-jury/19804577/|newspaper=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company, Inc.|accessdate=December 7, 2014}}</ref>

====Family====
In an interview with CNN, Garner's daughter Erica  felt that it was pride and not racism that led to the officer choking her father.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2862948/This-not-black-white-issue-national-crisis-Eric-Garner-s-daughter-said-PRIDE-not-racism-drove-cop-choke-father-death-thousands-storm-streets-anti-racist-protests.html Mia de Graaf, Josh Gardner, “This is not a black and white issue...”, Mail Online, 5 December, 2014]</ref>

===Funeral===
A funeral was held for Garner on July 23, 2014, at Bethel Baptist Church in [[Brooklyn]]. At the funeral, Al Sharpton gave a speech calling for harsher punitive measures to be taken against the officers responsible for putting Garner in the chokehold.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/23/funeral-for-staten-island-man-who-died-in-police-custody/| title=Sharpton To Officers In Eric Garner Case: ‘When Does Your Morality Kick In?'| work=[[CBS New York]]| date=July 23, 2014|accessdate=July 24, 2014}}</ref>

==See also==
* {{Portal-inline|New York City}}
* [[List of killings by law enforcement officers in the United States, July 2014]]
* [[Shooting of Michael Brown]] and subsequent [[2014 Ferguson unrest]]
* [[Police misconduct]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:2014 deaths|Garner, Eric]]<!--This article talks about Garner's death. DO NOT REMOVE-->
[[Category:2014 in New York]]
[[Category:21st century in New York City]]
[[Category:African-American history in New York City]]
[[Category:Crimes in New York City]]
[[Category:Chokeholds]]
[[Category:Death in New York]]
[[Category:Deaths by strangulation in the United States]]
[[Category:Deaths from asthma]]
[[Category:Deaths from heart failure]]
[[Category:Deaths from myocardial infarction]]
[[Category:Deaths in police custody in the United States]]
[[Category:Filmed deaths]]
[[Category:History of Staten Island]]
[[Category:New York City Police Department]]
[[Category:Protests in the United States]]
[[Category:Race and crime in the United States]]