Eric Garner

Eric Garner
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Name	Eric Garner
Birth date	September 15, 1970
Birth place	New York City, New York, U.S.
Death date	July 17, 2014 (aged 43)
Death place	Staten Island, New York City, U.S.
Death cause	Homicide by police brutality
Known for	Victim of a fatal police altercation, sparking national protests

Eric Garner. He was an African American man whose death during an arrest by the New York City Police Department became a pivotal moment in the Black Lives Matter movement and a national symbol against police brutality. The incident, captured on video, showed an officer placing him in a prohibited chokehold while he repeatedly stated "I can't breathe," a phrase that became a widespread protest slogan. His death led to widespread protests, a federal investigation, and significant debates over law enforcement practices and racial inequality in the United States.

Early life and background

Eric Garner was born and raised in the Tompkinsville neighborhood of Staten Island. He worked various jobs, including as a horticulturist for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Garner had a history of non-violent offenses, including numerous arrests for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes, a activity commonly referred to as "loosies" in his community. His health struggles included chronic asthma, hypertension, and sleep apnea, conditions that were well-known to his family and would later factor into the circumstances of his death. He was a father of six and was described by those who knew him as a friendly, familiar figure in his neighborhood.

Death

On the afternoon of July 17, 2014, officers from the New York City Police Department's 120th Precinct approached Garner on Bay Street in Tompkinsville. The officers, including Daniel Pantaleo, suspected him of selling untaxed cigarettes. A confrontation ensued after Garner denied the allegations and questioned why he was being harassed. Pantaleo then moved behind Garner and placed him in what was later described as a chokehold, a tactic banned by the NYPD since 1993. The entire incident was recorded on a cell phone by bystander Ramsey Orta. In the video, Garner is heard saying "I can't breathe" eleven times while being restrained by multiple officers on the ground. He lost consciousness at the scene and was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at Richmond University Medical Center. The New York City Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide, citing the chokehold and chest compression as the primary causes.

Aftermath and legal proceedings

The release of the video sparked immediate and sustained protests in New York City and across the nation, with demonstrations occurring in locations like Times Square and outside the Office of the Mayor of New York City. A Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Officer Pantaleo in December 2014, a decision that ignited further national outrage and helped fuel the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2015, the City of New York settled a wrongful death claim with Garner's family for $5.9 million. The United States Department of Justice under both the Obama administration and the Trump administration conducted a prolonged civil rights investigation. In July 2019, more than five years after the death, the DOJ announced it would not bring federal charges against Pantaleo. Subsequently, following an internal disciplinary trial, the NYPD fired Pantaleo in August 2019. Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, became a prominent activist, advocating for police reform through organizations like the National Action Network.

Legacy and impact

Eric Garner's death and his final words, "I can't breathe," became a galvanizing cry against police violence and systemic racism. The phrase was prominently displayed on signs during subsequent protests over the deaths of Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, and George Floyd. The incident significantly influenced the national debate on policing, contributing to calls for body cameras, bans on chokeholds, and broader criminal justice reform. In 2019, the New York City Council passed the "Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act," making the use of a chokehold by a police officer a felony. His case remains a central reference point in discussions about accountability, the power of grand juries, and the challenges of prosecuting police misconduct. Memorials and annual vigils on Staten Island continue to honor his memory, while his family's activism persists in the pursuit of legislative change.

Category:1970 births Category:2014 deaths Category:Deaths by person in New York (state) Category:People from Staten Island