"Eric Garner Death: Unraveling the 2014 Tragedy"

By Ashley

Eric Garner Death: A Timeline and Impact in 2014

The death of Eric Garner in 2014 was a pivotal moment in the ongoing conversation about police brutality and racial injustice in the United States. Garner's final moments were captured on video, and the subsequent events sparked national outrage and protests. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Eric Garner case, its timeline, and its impact.

Eric Garner's Death: The Incident

On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner, a 43-year-old African American man, was approached by police officers in Staten Island, New York, for selling loose cigarettes. The encounter was recorded by a bystander on a cell phone. In the video, Garner can be heard repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe," as Officer Daniel Pantaleo places him in a chokehold, a maneuver banned by the New York Police Department (NYPD). Garner later died from the encounter.

Autopsy and Medical Examiner's Report

The New York City medical examiner's office ruled Garner's death a homicide caused by "compression of neck (chokehold), compression of chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police." The report also noted that Garner's health conditions, including asthma, obesity, and hypertension, were contributing factors.

a close up of a woman with her mouth open and tongue out in the air
a close up of a woman with her mouth open and tongue out in the air

Grand Jury Decision and Protests

In December 2014, a grand jury declined to indict Officer Pantaleo, sparking widespread protests and outrage across the country. The decision came just a few weeks after a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri, declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, another unarmed African American man.

Eric Garner's Legacy and the "I Can't Breathe" Slogan

Garner's final words, "I can't breathe," became a rallying cry for protesters and a symbol of police brutality. The phrase was adopted by the Black Lives Matter movement and has been used in protests and demonstrations across the country. It also inspired the "I Can't Breathe" campaign, which aims to raise awareness about racial injustice and police brutality.

Legal Aftermath and Officer Daniel Pantaleo

In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation into Garner's death. However, in 2019, the DOJ announced it would not bring federal charges against Officer Pantaleo. In 2019, Pantaleo was also fired from the NYPD for his role in Garner's death.

Man Who Filmed Eric Garner's Death Released From Jail - [site:name]
Man Who Filmed Eric Garner's Death Released From Jail - [site:name]

Impact on Police Reform and Policy

The death of Eric Garner had a significant impact on police reform and policy. In 2015, New York City agreed to pay a $5.9 million settlement to Garner's family. The incident also led to changes in NYPD training and policy, including a ban on chokeholds. Furthermore, the case contributed to the national conversation about police reform, racial injustice, and the use of force by law enforcement.

Eric Garner's Family and Their Fight for Justice

Garner's family has been at the forefront of the fight for justice and police reform since his death. His mother, Gwen Carr, has become a prominent activist, speaking out against police brutality and advocating for police reform. In 2019, Garner's daughter, Erica Garner, who became an activist after her father's death, passed away at the age of 27 due to a heart attack, a tragedy that many believe was exacerbated by the stress and trauma of her activism.

a man in white shirt holding a cell phone
a man in white shirt holding a cell phone
Historic judicial inquiry begins seven years after Eric Garner’s death from banned NYPD chokehold
Historic judicial inquiry begins seven years after Eric Garner’s death from banned NYPD chokehold
a group of people holding signs and shouting in the middle of a street with police cars behind them
a group of people holding signs and shouting in the middle of a street with police cars behind them
NYPD Plans To Pursue Internal Charges Against Officers Involved In Eric Garner’s Death
NYPD Plans To Pursue Internal Charges Against Officers Involved In Eric Garner’s Death
NYPD fires officer at the center of Eric Garner’s death — The Washington Post
NYPD fires officer at the center of Eric Garner’s death — The Washington Post
Justice Department Won’t Charge Officer Involved In Eric Garner’s Death
Justice Department Won’t Charge Officer Involved In Eric Garner’s Death
a man with tattoos on his chest wearing a black tank top and bandanna around his neck
a man with tattoos on his chest wearing a black tank top and bandanna around his neck
a group of people standing around each other in the street holding up signs that read eric garner
a group of people standing around each other in the street holding up signs that read eric garner
NYPD Commissioner orders all 35,000 cops to be retrained in using force after death of Eric Garner following arrest chokehold
NYPD Commissioner orders all 35,000 cops to be retrained in using force after death of Eric Garner following arrest chokehold
Eric Garner’s Family Is Receiving $1 Million In A Settlement From Staten Island Hospital
Eric Garner’s Family Is Receiving $1 Million In A Settlement From Staten Island Hospital
How Anonymous Cops Online Are Reacting to the Death of Eric Garner
How Anonymous Cops Online Are Reacting to the Death of Eric Garner
Judicial inquiry begins looking into Eric Garner's death at hands of NYPD
Judicial inquiry begins looking into Eric Garner's death at hands of NYPD
New York City Officer To Face Disciplinary Trial For Chokehold Death Of Eric Garner | Essence
New York City Officer To Face Disciplinary Trial For Chokehold Death Of Eric Garner | Essence
The Officer Who Killed Eric Garner Won’t Face Federal Civil Rights Charges
The Officer Who Killed Eric Garner Won’t Face Federal Civil Rights Charges
NYPD officer says he inflated charge against Eric Garner - AOL
NYPD officer says he inflated charge against Eric Garner - AOL
‘I can’t breathe’: Five years after Eric Garner died in struggle with New York police, resolution still elusive
‘I can’t breathe’: Five years after Eric Garner died in struggle with New York police, resolution still elusive
New Yorkers deserve to know the history of the cops involved in Eric Garner’s death
New Yorkers deserve to know the history of the cops involved in Eric Garner’s death
a woman standing in front of microphones with other people behind her and one man holding his head
a woman standing in front of microphones with other people behind her and one man holding his head
people holding up signs in front of a christmas tree with lights on it at night
people holding up signs in front of a christmas tree with lights on it at night
Daniel Pantaleo Archives - Rolling Out
Daniel Pantaleo Archives - Rolling Out
Eric Garner’s mother on losing her son: ‘The nightmare was never over’
Eric Garner’s mother on losing her son: ‘The nightmare was never over’
Congress Might Hold Hearings On Eric Garner's Death
Congress Might Hold Hearings On Eric Garner's Death
Eric Garner death: Fresh protests across US cities
Eric Garner death: Fresh protests across US cities
Eric Garner's death in NYPD chokehold case ruled a homicide
Eric Garner's death in NYPD chokehold case ruled a homicide

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