Eric Garner’s death at the hands of New York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo has not been forgotten. On Friday, the Garner family saw New York take one small step toward justice.
This comes after reports that an NYPD administrative judge officially recommended that Pantaleo be terminated for his part in the chokehold death of Garner, which was recorded on video on July 17, 2014, in Staten Island. Garner was being arrested for selling loose cigarettes, i.e., single cigarettes without a tax stamp. In the video, Pantaleo is seen choking Garner to the ground as Garner clearly tells officers that he cannot breathe. In July 2018, after four long years, Pantaleo faced charges, along with Sgt. Kizzy Adonis, but was not indicted. Today’s suspension will hopefully lead to justice and something resembling real reform.
Garner’s death and the lack of justice following it were highlighted by Democratic presidential hopeful Julián Castro during Wednesday night’s debates in Detroit, and activists voiced their protests during New York Mayor Bill de Blasio’s speaking time as well.
Mayor de Blasio is holding a press conference live. You can watch below the fold.