Sunday, July 17 marked two years since the police killing of Eric Garner. Family members, activists and the community gathered for events.
A church service was held at New Hope Baptist Church in Elizabeth, N.J. Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network New Jersey state organizer Rev. Steffie Bartley and several elected officials and activists attended.
Following the church service, the group gathered at Garner’s gravesite in Linden, N.J.
In addition, Garner’s daughter Erica held a march in Staten Island where he died.
On Saturday, Sharpton led a March for Justice through Brooklyn starting at the House of the Lord Church to Grand Army Plaza with Garners family, the community and elected officials.
Garner was killed by NYPD officers in 2014 in Staten Island while he was allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes. Officers put him in what appeared to be an apparent chokehold killing him. The incident was caught on cell phone video where Garner can be heard saying “I can’t breathe.”
The New York City Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Garner’s death a homicide, however, one of the officers involved, Daniel Pantaleo, was not indicted. The city settled with Garner’s family for nearly $6 million in 2015. Mass protests took place across the city and nation during the aftermath of the death.
Reports indicate that the United States Department of Justice’s investigation into Garner’s death remains open.
