NY Demonstrators Protest Police Brutality after Garner’s Chokehold

Local Editor

Several people in the US city of New York have not remained silent over police brutality after an African American man with asthma died recently last week when cops put him in a chokehold.

A demonstration was held in front of the New York City Hall on Monday, calling for more oversight of police tactics, while similar gatherings and vigils were held during the weekend as well.

The choking of Eric Garner by an officer with the New York Police Department [NYPD] has reopened the debate about the need for police reform.

Chokeholds are against police department policy.

Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who placed Garner in a chokehold, has been stripped of his gun and badge and placed on desk duty.

Garner, 43, was a married father of six children with two grandchildren.

Moreover, amateur video obtained by New York Daily News showed Garner telling police he is doing nothing wrong. Moments later, at least four officers push Garner to the ground, with one cop holding him in a chokehold and another mashing his head into the sidewalk. Garner is heard on the video saying, "I can't breathe," at least eight times.

Garner suffered a heart attack during the confrontation with police who were attempting to arrest him on suspicions of selling untaxed cigarettes outside a beauty parlor on Staten Island near the ferry terminal.

New York mayor, Bill De Blasio, who is in Rome on a family vacation, called the incident "very troubling" and a "tragedy."

Meanwhile, four medical emergency response workers have been suspended without pay after witnesses reported they did not administer CPR or oxygen to Garner after responding to the scene.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team