March and rally on Staten Island commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Eric Garner by the NYPD

STATEN ISLAND (WABC) — It has been ten years since a New York Police Department officer used the illegal chokehold that cost Eric Garner his life.

On Wednesday afternoon, people gathered for a march and rally in the St. George neighborhood of Staten Island.

They walked from Staten Island City Hall about half a mile to Tompkinsville Park, where Garner was killed.

They spent the day celebrating his life. His mother said it was not about protesting, but about remembering her son’s life.

“I would like to point out, however, that my son’s name must continue to have meaning because he should not have died that day. He should still be here today, speaking to you,” said Gwen Carr.

The deadly confrontation on Staten Island began after a police officer confronted Garner about selling loose cigarettes.

His final words, “I can’t breathe,” sparked an outcry against police brutality in New York City and across the country, with millions demanding a change in police use of force.

In 2014, the year of his death, the Civilian Complaint Review Board received 244 allegations of unlawful chokeholds by police officers. And by 2020, that number had dropped to 107 allegations.

Today, however, there are new concerns about the use of force, with the number of complaints rising to 230 in 2023.

The officer who applied the illegal chokehold was Daniel Pantaleo. His death was ruled a homicide, but a grand jury declined to indict Pantaleo or anyone else at the scene. Five years later, Pantaleo was fired from the police force.

“I want to see more accountability when there is misconduct. While we know the police have a tough job, when there are these black sheep in the police force, we need to get rid of them because we don’t want another innocent citizen to get hurt,” Carr said.

A friend of Garner’s family, a former NYPD detective, says the events of 10 years ago were simply unnecessary and senseless.

“It was pointless for a raid because of a cigarette butt. You shouldn’t lean on someone’s chest, you should arrest them with handcuffs,” said Angenette Pinkston.

Mayor Eric Adams said he remembers Garner’s death as if it were yesterday – and he prays there will never be a situation like this again.

READ ALSO | On the 10th anniversary of the death of Eric Garner by the New York police

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