The crowd built up gradually at Union Square NYC today as more people gathered on what would have been Dr. Martin Luther King’s 86th Birthday to rally and have a 4 Mile March to honor those who have been killed and carry on the Legacy of MLK Jr. Organized by Esther Baldwin, who I interviewed, told me the 4 minute Die in they did was for the 4 mins that 12 year old Tamir Rice lay dying after being shot by Cleveland Police while playing with a toy gun.
Speakers included Erica Garner, eldest daughter of Eric Garner, killed by NYPD on July 17th 2014 in an illegal chokehold on Staten Island by NYPD Daniel Pantaleo, Gloria Leiva, mother of Dante Pomar – killed in 7/29/2004 by NYPD; when he was riding what’s called a Pocket Bike. A motorized mini motor bike. Cops said Dante hit a pothole and fell off the bike but, witnesses said Dante was a gifted rider and mechanic and was able to handle the bike capably. Witnesses said Police chased Dante and accidentally stuck him with their patrol car causing him to fall.
Also speaking was, Nicholas Hayward Sr., father of N icholas Heyward Jr. was killed in 1994 by a police officer who thought his toy rifle was a real gun in the Gowanus Houses building stairwell. The boy was 13.
The cousin of Eric Garner was also in attendance.
After the Die In the crowd of a couple of hundred people marched the permitted march down Broadway led by Erica Garner, Eric Garner’s cousin, Dante Pomar’s mother, Gloria Leiva, Nicholas Hayward Sr and the event organizer, Esther Baldwin holding the 4 Mile March Banner. NYPD outlining the demonstrators.
At Foley Square the Aunt of Akai Gurley spoke. Akai Gurley was also recently killed by Police in a dimly lit stairwell in the Pink Houses housing project by Rookie Police officer Peter Lang. Akai was shot by Officer Lang who already had is gun drawn. Akai Gurley was unarmed.
Erica Garner spoke at Foley square reading from her phone about Martin Luther King Jr,, “what comes to mind is How he never gave up”. “He was passionate, resilient and fought for all, all the way till his death” “what makes someone have the ability to fight so hard and be willing to face death, it’s called, Injustice”.
