People are outraged after a New York man, Eric Garner, was pronounced dead after New York police officers put the New York resident in a chokehold for allegedly selling ‘untaxed’ cigarettes.
The incident was caught on videotape showing the Staten Island New York man, Eric Garner, 43, begging the officers to leave him alone followed by another plea to allow him to breathe as they forced him to the ground helplessly.
Police accused Garner of selling untaxed cigarettes which he had been arrested before on the same charge, however, Garner is heard in the video telling the police officer that he hadn’t done anything and was tired of them messing with him.
Witnesses of the incident say Garner had actually broken up a fight between two others before the police had arrived on the scene.
Garner tells them, “I’m tired… it stops today,” regarding the officers reportedly messing with him.
Refusing to put his hands behind his back, Garner can be heard telling an officer not to touch him as he is taken by surprise by a chokehold by one of the officers that showed up.
Being slammed to the ground, Garner can be heard saying “I can’t breathe,” repeatedly.
Garner is being described as a large man but a “gentle giant,” who stands over 6 feet weighing over 350 lbs, by his family, friends and those who know him.
The Mayor has postponed a planned family vacation for 1 day due to the incident calling it a ‘terrible tragedy.’
Chokeholds are not permitted by NYPD regulations, so the incident is currently under investigation for that and other obvious reasons.
Watch the video.
I saw this horrific video and cried my eyes out. i hope that this family receive justice for the murder of their love one. it sickens me to see such brutality by cops . They always think that they can get away with hurting people. i pray that the officers that where involved be prosecuted
my heart go out to Mr. Eric Garner and family. Don’t let them get away with this fight for Eric.