Mother of Eric Garner, Gwen Carr, Responds to Reports on DOJ Disagreement

In response to a report in the New York Times that top Justice Department officials are disagreeing on whether to charge NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo for killing Eric Garner by chokehold, the mother of Garner, Gwen Carr, released the following statement.

“If the Trump administration’s Justice Department doesn’t hold NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaelo and others who killed my son accountable by prosecution and conviction, then they are failing to uphold law-and-order for the sake of politics. DOJ officials told me and my family last summer that there would be a final decision by the end of 2017 – it's outrageous that now they're reporting that they're still deciding through the media without reaching out to me at all. This isn't news, they're playing political games with the murder of my son. It’s been nearly four years and there still is no justice – it’s unacceptable. It’s beyond time for Pantaleo and other officers to be prosecuted by DOJ, and Mayor de Blasio and the NYPD also need to stop playing politics by hiding behind the Trump administration, and fire Pantaleo and all officers responsible for murdering Eric and related misconduct.”

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About Communities United for Police Reform

Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and policing practices based on cooperation and respect– not discriminatory targeting and harassment.

CPR brings together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those unfairly targeted the most by the NYPD. CPR is fighting for reforms that will promote community safety while ensuring that the NYPD protects and serves all New Yorkers.

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