Justice for Eric Garner Rally Saturday Will Call for Justice System Reform
There is still a long road ahead to justice for Eric Garner, who was killed a year ago after being held in an illegal chokehold by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo. His death, followed by the slaying of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, last summer, ignited protests against police brutality worldwide, where demonstrators chanted, "I can't breathe!" and "Hands up. Don't shoot!"
Eric Garner's supporters will continue their fight, beginning with a Manhattan rally Saturday at noon to demand justice for Garner and Ramarley Graham, another unarmed Black man killed by a police officer. They will also gather to draw attention to the transformation of the justice system. Demonstrators will meet at 225 Cadman Plaza East in New York City.
On Tuesday, Garner's family and Rev. Al Sharpton spoke at a press conference following news that the family would be accepting $5.9 million in a settlement.
"Money is not justice," Sharpton said. "Money is the recognition of the loss of the family. But it does not deal with the criminal and other wrongs done to this family and other families."
The families are calling for federal investigations into Garner and Graham's killings.
A Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict Officer Pantaleo in the death of Garner in December.
Three years ago, a police officer shot and killed Graham, 18, at his home in the Bronx, New York. Graham was unarmed when Richard Haste, an undercover narcotics officer, followed Graham and ran into his home. Haste has not faced a trial for the death since both of his indictments have been dismissed by grand juries. Graham's family accepted $3.9 million from the city in February.
The rally is also demanding that presidential candidates running for office in 2016 should address police accountability and justice system reform in their platforms.
More information about the Justice for Eric Garner rally can be found here.
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(Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
