Thousands of people were marching on Staten Island on Saturday to protest the death of Eric Garner, who died more than a month ago after being held in a chokehold by a New York City police officer.
"If you can do it to him, you can do it to any citizen, and we are not going to be silent while that happens," the Rev. Al Sharpton told a crowd gathered before the march Saturday morning at the Mt. Sinai United Christian Church.
The march, organized by Sharpton’s National Action Network, began at noon Eastern at the place where Garner died and was to end at the Staten Island district attorney's office. Garner died July 17 after a police officer arrested him on suspicion of selling untaxed cigarettes.
A video recorded on a cellphone shows Garner -- a 350-pound father of six -- saying that he can’t breathe as a police officer restrains him in a chokehold. Earlier this month, the medical examiner’s office ruled the death a homicide.
Many Staten Island residents feared that Saturday's march could turn unruly given the unrest that has unfolded in Ferguson, Mo., recently after a police officer fatally shot Michael Brown, an unarmed 18-year-old. Both Brown and Garner were African American and the officers involved white.
“Although the march is considered peaceful, there is no guarantee that everyone in attendance will act sensibly," said a letter issued to local businesses by the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. "It is important that personal safety and general precautions be utilized."
Sharpton called for peaceful demonstrations.
"This is not about your feelings," Sharpton said, reminding marchers that "we are doing this because we want to see the pain of the family brought to justice."
Garner's widow, Esaw Garner, also called for a peaceful march.
"Let's just get justice for my husband," she said.
Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, recalled the last conversation she had with her son the morning of his death, "not knowing that I'd never see him again." She said seeing all the people ready to march "fills my heart with joy to know that my son didn't die in vain."
Former New York Gov. David Paterson also spoke, listing the names of people killed in altercations with police in New York City -- from 10-year-old Clifford Glover, who was shot in the back by an NYPD officer in 1973, to Garner.
"We will march for all of them," Paterson said.
Sharpton and Garner’s family met Thursday with the local U.S. attorney to discuss potential federal intervention and further investigations of what happened to Garner.
Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who allegedly performed the chokehold, has been stripped of his gun and placed on desk duty. Another officer, Justin D’Amico, has also been also placed on desk duty.
The Staten Island district attorney said earlier this week that he had determined that there was enough evidence regarding Garner’s death to move forward with grand jury proceedings.
Copyright © 2014, Los Angeles Times
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