July 17th, 2015 marked the one year anniversary of the death of Eric Garner, a Staten Island man who was killed with an illegal chokehold by NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo for selling loose cigarettes.
In a show of solidarity, Millions March NYC, NYC ShutItDown, People’s Power Assemblies, and Black Lives Matter NYC organized a rally and march commemorating not only the life of Eric Garner, but also to draw attention to the fact that neither the officer involved, nor the paramedics who failed to perform potentially life saving procedures were ever held accountable. New York City has agreed to pay the family of Eric Garner a $5.9 million settlement, however, his family and activists are calling to criminally charge Officer Pantaleo.
The rally, which was held in Columbus Circle, also drew speakers of First Nation and Akeem Browder, the brother of Kalief Browder, the 22 year old New York City man who committed suicide last June, and who had spent 3 years in Rikers Island as a juvenile without ever being convicted of a crime.
The rally and march were attended by a few hundred activists who peacefully gathered to show their support for the Garner family, demanding the firing of Officer Pantaleo, and an end of Broken Windows. A handful of protesters were arrested by NYPD officers for civil disobedience.
