Statement by Gwen Carr, Mother of Eric Garner, After Meeting with Mayor de Blasio

New York, NY - Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, condemned the decision not to convict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the unjust killing of her son. Carr is calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to hold the NYPD accountable, which includes firing Pantaleo and other officers responsible for misconduct. On Thursday, July 18, Carr spoke to de Blasio in a meeting. She issued the following statement:  

Statement by Gwen Carr, Mother of Eric Garner:

“I spoke to the Mayor and told him that Daniel Pantaleo, Justin D'Amico, Sgt. Kizzy Adonis, and every other officer who engaged in misconduct related to the murder of my son should have been fired years ago and must be fired now. It is outrageous that I have had to be fighting for five years to get the Mayor to do his job to make sure that there is accountability when the NYPD murders our children.

"The Mayor has been dragging his heels and obstructing accountability at every turn for the past five years - including letting his NYPD block CCRB charges against Pantaleo for almost a year, not charging any of the other officers who helped kill my son and tried to cover it up, and also not even scheduling the discipline trial of Adonis, who's had discipline charges for years.

"Actions speak louder than words and so far I still haven't seen action. Right after talking to the Mayor I protested outside his house because I will not be satisfied with conversations or just some kind of access to him -- I want to see action and will not stop fighting for my son until Pantaleo and all the other officers who did wrong are fired.”  

###

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.

Learn more: http://changethenypd.org/
Follow CPR on Twitter: @Changethenypd
Like CPR on Facebook: Facebook.com/Changethenypd