Eric Garner

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Police officer in ‘I can’t breathe’ death won’t be charged

Gwen Carr, mother of chokehold victim Eric Garner, left, speaks outside the U.S. Attorney’s office, in the Brooklyn borough of New York, as Garner’s widow Esaw Snipes listens at right, Tuesday, July 16, 2019.
07/16/2019
AP

NEW YORK — After years of silence, federal prosecutors said Tuesday that they won’t bring criminal charges against a white New York City police officer in the 2014 chokehold death of Eric Garner, a black man whose dying words — “I can’t breathe” — became a national rallying cry against police brutality.

The decision to end a yearslong civil rights investigation without charges was made by Attorney General William Barr and was announced the day before the five-year anniversary of the deadly Staten Island encounter, just as the statute of limitations was set to expire.

Stop telling us we didn’t see what we saw. A cop choked Eric Garner to death. The District Attorney wouldn’t prosecute him. The Justice Department turned its back. Now the mayor must step up and fire him.

07/16/2019
New York Daily News

The next time Mayor de Blasio jets off to Keokuk, Iowa or Orangeburg, South Carolina, or wherever he goes to try to sell people on the crazy notion that he can be President of the United States, there should be a large screen with video of Eric Garner telling voters that he can’t breathe.

For immediate release: July 16, 2019

BREAKING NEWS: Mother of Eric Garner Addresses DOJ Refusal to Bring Charges Against NYPD Officer Who Killed Her Son

New York, NY – One day before the fifth anniversary of the unjust killing of Eric Garner, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) refused to bring federal charges against Garner’s killer, NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, and sister, Ellisha Flagg-Garner, will address the DOJ decision in a 1:00 p.m. press conference on the steps of City Hall.

'We are fighting for justice': Protesters call for firing of NYPD officers at 'We are Eric Garner' rally

Video still of Gwen Carr addressing crowd at youth-led action on fifth anniversary of her son Eric Garner's killing
07/17/2019
USA Today

NEW YORK – Hundreds of youth organizers carrying coffins and posters marched Wednesday at Foley Park, calling for Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York Police Department to fire all officers involved in the chaotic arrest and death of Eric Garner.

The "We are Eric Garner" rally, held on the five-year anniversary of Garner's death, followed Tuesday’s decision by the Department of Justice to not pursue civil rights charges against NYPD officer David Pantaleo, who put the 43-year-old black man in a chokehold.

For immediate release: July 18, 2019

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:

Chokeholds and Police Abuse, Kept From the Public

There’s still time for New York legislators to repeal the law that keeps police records secret.
Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s mother, outside One Police Plaza last week.CreditKarsten Moran for The New York Times
06/12/2019
New York Times

An administrative judge will decide soon whether New York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo should be fired for using a prohibited chokehold that led to the death of Eric Garner and waves of protestover police brutality five years ago.

Whatever her decision, the public may never know about it.

For immediate release: May 16, 2019

Police Accountability Advocates Applaud NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson for Calling for Repeal of 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

New York –  Police accountability advocates and organizers today applauded New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson for calling for the repeal of 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law. 50-a is a controversial and widely criticized state law that advocates and elected officials are seeking to repeal in the current legislative session. It has been used to block the release of crucial information about misconduct committed by police officers and what, if any, disciplinary consequences they have faced for their actions.

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