News on Eric Garner

For immediate release: July 16, 2019

BREAKING NEWS: Mother of Eric Garner Addresses DOJ Refusal to Bring Charges Against NYPD Officer Who Killed Her Son

New York, NY – One day before the fifth anniversary of the unjust killing of Eric Garner, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) refused to bring federal charges against Garner’s killer, NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo. Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, and sister, Ellisha Flagg-Garner, will address the DOJ decision in a 1:00 p.m. press conference on the steps of City Hall.

'We are fighting for justice': Protesters call for firing of NYPD officers at 'We are Eric Garner' rally

Video still of Gwen Carr addressing crowd at youth-led action on fifth anniversary of her son Eric Garner's killing
07/17/2019
USA Today

NEW YORK – Hundreds of youth organizers carrying coffins and posters marched Wednesday at Foley Park, calling for Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York Police Department to fire all officers involved in the chaotic arrest and death of Eric Garner.

The "We are Eric Garner" rally, held on the five-year anniversary of Garner's death, followed Tuesday’s decision by the Department of Justice to not pursue civil rights charges against NYPD officer David Pantaleo, who put the 43-year-old black man in a chokehold.

For immediate release: July 18, 2019

Statement by Gwen Carr, Mother of Eric Garner, After Meeting with Mayor de Blasio

New York, NY - Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner, condemned the decision not to convict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the unjust killing of her son. Carr is calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to hold the NYPD accountable, which includes firing Pantaleo and other officers responsible for misconduct. On Thursday, July 18, Carr spoke to de Blasio in a meeting. She issued the following statement:  

Statement by Gwen Carr, Mother of Eric Garner:

For immediate release: June 18, 2019

Family Members of Eric Garner and Others Killed by NYPD Join Advocacy Organizations to Push Charter Revision Commission to Support Police Accountability Proposals for November Ballot

New York, NY – The Charter Revision Commission is facing increasing pressure from family members of Eric Garner and others killed by the NYPD to adopt police accountability proposals.

Chokeholds and Police Abuse, Kept From the Public

There’s still time for New York legislators to repeal the law that keeps police records secret.
Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s mother, outside One Police Plaza last week.CreditKarsten Moran for The New York Times
06/12/2019
New York Times

An administrative judge will decide soon whether New York Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo should be fired for using a prohibited chokehold that led to the death of Eric Garner and waves of protestover police brutality five years ago.

Whatever her decision, the public may never know about it.

For immediate release: May 17, 2019

Communities United for Police Reform Slams Mayor de Blasio for His Recent Comments on NYPD Officer’s "Not a Big Deal" Text Responding to News of the Killing of Eric Garner that Surfaced This Week

New York, NY – Communities United for Police Reform (CPR), a leading voice for racial justice and police accountability in New York City, released the following statement today slamming Mayor de Blasio for his hypocrisy in relation to new text messages from an NYPD officer related to the killing of Eric Garner that surfaced this week.

For immediate release: May 16, 2019

Police Accountability Advocates Applaud NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson for Calling for Repeal of 50-a, New York’s Harmful Police Secrecy Law

New York –  Police accountability advocates and organizers today applauded New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson for calling for the repeal of 50-a, New York’s harmful police secrecy law. 50-a is a controversial and widely criticized state law that advocates and elected officials are seeking to repeal in the current legislative session. It has been used to block the release of crucial information about misconduct committed by police officers and what, if any, disciplinary consequences they have faced for their actions.

For immediate release: May 14, 2019

Police Accountability Advocates: At Pantaleo Trial Today, NYPD Inspector Confirmed that a Prohibited Chokehold Was Used to Kill Eric Garner

New York, NY – Police accountability organizers present at NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo’s trial today said testimony from a key NYPD witness confirmed that a chokehold unequivocally prohibited by the NYPD for over 20 years was used to kill Eric Garner.

“Pantaleo’s entire legal defense was discredited today by NYPD Inspector Dee. Pantaleo’s lawyers have been falsely claiming that Pantaleo didn't use a chokehold when he killed Eric Garner. But as the NYPD Inspector noted today in trial, not only were chokeholds banned without exception at the time Eric was choked and killed, so-called "seatbelt maneuvers" were not even taught when Pantaleo was in the police academy, or when he went through plainclothes officer training,” said Loyda Colon, Co-Director of the Justice Committee and a spokesperson for Communities United for Police Reform (CPR).

For immediate release: May 13, 2019

“I’m Tired of the Lies. We All Saw the Truth On Video”: In New Statement, Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s Mother, Reacts to First Day of Pantaleo's Trial

New York, NY – Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s mother, released the following statement after experiencing the first day of the NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo’s trial for killing Garner: 

“Today was very hard. My family and I had to sit through Pantaleo's attorneys try to blame my son Eric Garner for his own murder.  I'm tired of the lies and misdirection from Daniel Pantaleo’s lawyers. Today we heard the truth - my son was murdered during an illegal arrest. He had just broken up a fight. The police who claim he was selling loosies have been lying all along, just like we've said. They can call Pantaleo's chokehold whatever fancy term they want to try to confuse people; it doesn't matter – because the facts and the video speak for themselves,” said Ms. Carr.

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