Eric Garner

Eric Garner
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Name	Eric Garner
Birth date	September 15, 1970
Birth place	New York City, New York, United States
Death date	July 17, 2014
Death place	Staten Island, New York City, New York, United States
Spouse	Esaw Garner

Eric Garner was a African American man who died after being placed in a chokehold by a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer, Daniel Pantaleo, on Staten Island. The incident sparked widespread outrage and protests, with many calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism in the United States, similar to the Rodney King and Trayvon Martin cases. Garner's death was also compared to the Ferguson unrest, which occurred around the same time, and the Black Lives Matter movement, which was inspired by these events. The incident was widely covered by media outlets, including CNN, NBC News, and The New York Times.

● Early Life

Eric Garner was born on September 15, 1970, in New York City, New York, to Gwen Carr and Benjamin Carr. He grew up in Staten Island and attended Port Richmond High School. Garner was a father of six children and was married to Esaw Garner. He was also a horticultural worker for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and a member of the Local 372 of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Garner's life was also influenced by his experiences with the New York City Housing Authority and the Staten Island Ferry. He was a resident of Tompkinsville, Staten Island, and his death had a significant impact on the community, including the Staten Island Borough President and the New York City Council.

● Death

On July 17, 2014, Garner was stopped by NYPD officers on Victory Boulevard in Tompkinsville, Staten Island, for allegedly selling loosies (untaxed cigarettes) on the street. The officers, including Daniel Pantaleo and Justin Damico, attempted to arrest Garner, but he resisted, leading to a physical altercation. Pantaleo placed Garner in a chokehold, which is prohibited by the NYPD, and Garner repeated the phrase "I can't breathe" several times before losing consciousness. The incident was captured on video by a bystander, Ramsey Orta, and was widely shared on social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. The video was also shown on MSNBC, Fox News, and other news outlets, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.

● Aftermath

Garner's death was met with widespread outrage and protests, with many calling for an end to police brutality and systemic racism in the United States. The incident was compared to the Ferguson unrest, which occurred around the same time, and the Black Lives Matter movement, which was inspired by these events. The NYPD faced criticism for its handling of the incident, and Commissioner William Bratton announced an investigation into the matter. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also launched an investigation into Garner's death, which was overseen by United States Attorney General Eric Holder and the United States Department of Justice. The incident was also investigated by the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board and the New York State Attorney General.

● Protests and Legacy

The protests and demonstrations that followed Garner's death were led by civil rights leaders, including Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, and were supported by community organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The protests were also joined by politicians, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. The incident sparked a national conversation about police brutality and systemic racism, and led to calls for police reform and criminal justice reform. Garner's legacy has been honored by the Eric Garner Foundation, which was established by his family to advocate for social justice and human rights. The foundation has worked with organizations such as the Innocence Project and the National Police Accountability Project to promote police accountability and transparency.

● Investigation and Trials

The investigation into Garner's death was led by the Staten Island District Attorney's Office and the NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau. The grand jury declined to indict Daniel Pantaleo on December 3, 2014, sparking widespread outrage and protests. The decision was criticized by civil rights leaders and politicians, including President Barack Obama and United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch. The United States Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into Garner's death, which was overseen by United States Attorney Richard Donoghue. In 2019, the NYPD held a disciplinary trial for Daniel Pantaleo, which resulted in his termination from the NYPD. The trial was overseen by NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill and was supported by Mayor Bill de Blasio and other city officials. The outcome of the trial was seen as a victory for police accountability and justice reform advocates, including the New York Civil Liberties Union and the National Action Network.