New York, New York- A grand jury declined to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the chokehold death of Eric Garner today. Garner, an unarmed Black man was being arrested in Brooklyn on suspicion of selling unlicensed cigarettes when Pantaleo used a banned practice to subdue Garner. The entire incident was caught on video in which Garner was repeating, “I can’t breathe,” before he went unconscious. The family attorney was “astonished” by the decision, according to the Associated Press.
It was the second time in two weeks a high-profile case involving a police killing resulted in a grand jury returning no indictment against a police officer in the death of an un-armed person. A St Louis Grand Jury decided last Monday not to indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, a decision that touched off unrest across the country. There was no video in the Ferguson shooting case though witnesses reported Michael Brown had his hands up when he was killed.
The New York grand jury decision is certain to touch off charged protests again this week. As of late, protests have stopped business as usual in many cities as citizens, students and workers have conducted walk-outs, protests, and traffic stoppages on major highways from California to NY.
But the Department of Justice could still charge police officer Daniel Pantaleo under federal statute if the Attorney General determines Daniel Pantaleo violated Eric Garner’s civil rights.
For live coverage of protests and events in NYC follow @JamesFTInternet live-stream of #EricGarner direct actions. Also @StopMotionsolo @HuntedHorse.
In Washington D.C., follow @rousseau_ist for latest developments as well as @johnzangas and @organizerx.
For national stream coverage follow @GlobalRevLive.
