Family of Eric Garner Hasn't Received Much of the Money Crowdfunded for Them
The family of Eric Garner has not received much of the money crowdfunded in the name of the 43-year-old man who was killed by a NYPD officer while being placed in a choke hold in July.
With the exception of a few, at least 19 organizers of crowdfunding efforts have not given money to the family. "I feel like people are trying to use my father's name for their own gain," said Erica Garner, 24, to DNAinfo.com. "It's unfortunately a sad situation."
One in particular made by the Charlotte Activist Collective is looking to raise $1 million and claims to be in communication with Esaw Garner, the widow of Eric, and other family members. But Gwen Carr and his daughter Erica Garner say they never heard from the group.
Another organizer known as Andrew Doty raised $75,000 for the family through a website called Fundly. After receiving multiple calls from various people claiming to be related to Garner, he eventually decided to turn the money over to family lawyer Jonathan Moore.
"I got these sort of mixed messages... I waited for that confirmation [from Jonathan Moore] and now we're in the process of getting that money to him," Doty said to DNAinfo.
The predicament has also had a negative impact on the family as one of Garner's daughters — not named in the article — successfully raised $40,000 in a campaign "to support the children of Eric Garner." But she has not divided the money among the other family members.
"As soon as the money came in, she pulled back and nobody knows where that money went," Erica Garner said.
Garner's mother, Ms. Carr, is disappointed in those who have chosen not to be honest in their crowdfunding efforts. "My son had to die and you're reaping the benefits," Carr said. "You should put it towards a good cause, not just have money and do what you will with it."
Follow Natelege Whaley on Twitter: @Natelege_
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(Photo: Bill Lyons/Staten Island Advance /Landov)