Overview
On July 17th, 2014, Eric Garner, a 400 pound asthmatic[1] was put into a choke-hold after apparently breaking up a fight outside a local storefront in Staten Island. Five police officers surrounded the father and then forced him onto the ground, while the man continually shouted “I can’t breathe.”[2] Eric Garner died shortly thereafter.
Background
Eric suffered from numerous medical conditions including Asthma, Diabetes, and Sleep Apnea.[1] Whether or not these played a role in his death is unclear. After the death, Mayor Bill de Blasio called the event a terrible tragedy, and spoke out against wide-spread excessive force in the police force. However, civilian bystanders are wondering if the event wasn’t blatant racism against a black man who had frequently been targeted by the local police force for “Selling untaxed cigarettes”[3], something those who knew him repeatedly denied he ever did.
Search Interest
Not available.
External References
[1]Newsday – Eric Garner Dies After Chokehold
[2]Youtube – Black Man “Eric Garner” Killed by Police
[3]NY Times – Staten Island Man Dies After Chokehold