Eric Garner

Eric Garner
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Name	Eric Garner
Birth date	September 15, 1970
Birth place	Staten Island, New York City, 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 police killing, "I can't breathe" protest slogan
Occupation	Horticulturist

Eric Garner was an African American man whose death during an arrest by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 2014 became a pivotal moment in the modern civil rights movement in the United States. His final words, "I can't breathe," repeated eleven times, became a national rallying cry against police brutality and systemic racism, galvanizing the Black Lives Matter movement and sparking widespread protests and policy debates.

Early life and background

Eric Garner was born and raised in the Tompkinsville neighborhood of Staten Island, New York City. He worked as a horticulturist for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation before developing health issues, including asthma and sleep apnea. Garner was a well-known figure in his community, often described as a "neighborhood peacemaker." Prior to his fatal encounter, he had a history of numerous minor arrests, largely for offenses like selling untaxed cigarettes, known as "loosies," which was a common practice in his area. This history of low-level enforcement interactions with the NYPD highlighted the tensions between aggressive "broken windows policing" tactics and communities of color in New York City.

Death and circumstances

On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner died on the sidewalk at Bay Street in Tompkinsville after being placed in a prohibited chokehold by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo. The incident began when plainclothes officers, including Pantaleo, approached Garner on suspicion of selling loose cigarettes. A bystander's video recorded by Ramsey Orta showed Garner arguing that he was being harassed and was not selling cigarettes before the physical confrontation ensued. Officer Pantaleo applied the chokehold from behind, a tactic banned by NYPD policy since 1993, and several other officers helped restrain Garner. Garner repeatedly stated, "I can't breathe," while pinned to the ground. He lost consciousness and was pronounced dead approximately one hour later at Richmond University Medical Center. The New York City Chief Medical Examiner's office ruled the death a homicide, citing compression of the neck and chest, with acute and chronic asthma, obesity, and cardiovascular disease as contributing factors.

Aftermath and legal proceedings

The legal proceedings following Garner's death generated significant controversy and became a focal point for activists demanding police accountability. A Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Officer Pantaleo on any charges in December 2014, a decision announced by Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan. In 2019, after a lengthy administrative trial, the NYPD's Deputy Commissioner of Trials recommended Pantaleo be fired for his use of the chokehold. NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill ultimately dismissed Pantaleo from the force. The United States Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr declined to bring federal civil rights charges against Pantaleo in 2019, closing the case. Garner's family reached a civil settlement with the City of New York for $5.9 million in 2015. The case underscored the immense difficulty in prosecuting police officers under statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 242.

Protests and public response

The public response to Eric Garner's death was immediate and sustained, merging with the growing Black Lives Matter movement that had gained momentum after the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Protests erupted across New York City and nationwide, with demonstrators chanting "I can't breathe" and "Hands up, don't shoot." Major demonstrations included marches over the Brooklyn Bridge, die-ins, and rallies outside New York City Hall and the Justice Department in Washington, D.C.. The non-indictment of Pantaleo sparked further waves of protest, including large gatherings in Times Square and Grand Central Terminal. Athletes, including NBA players like LeBron James and Derrick Rose, and members of the St. Louis Rams, wore "I Can't Breathe" shirts during warm-ups. The protests placed immense pressure on political leaders, including Mayor Bill de Blasio and President Barack Obama, to address issues of police reform and racial justice.

Legacy and impact on civil rights

Eric Garner's death left a profound legacy on the American civil rights landscape. The phrase "I can't breathe" became one of the most potent slogans of the 21st-century movement against police violence, later invoked during the killing of George Floyd in 2020. Garner's case was instrumental in pushing for policy changes, including New York State's repeal of 50-a, a law that had shielded police disciplinary records from public view. It fueled national campaigns for police reform, such as calls to ban chokeholds, embodied in the proposed George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. The continuous public activism inspired by his death strengthened organizations like Black Lives Matter and Campaign Zero. His name is frequently cited alongside other African Americans killed by police, such as Tamir Rice, Freddie Gray, and Breonna Taylor, symbolizing the ongoing struggle for racial equity and accountability within the criminal justice system in the United States.