- Video Evidence & Use of Force: The death of Eric Garner, captured on video by a bystander, showed him repeatedly stating "I can't breathe" as Officer Pantaleo used what many described as a chokehold. This visual evidence ignited a widespread debate about the excessive use of force by police and the necessity for body cameras to ensure transparency.
- Lack of Immediate Accountability: Despite the video evidence, a Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict Officer Pantaleo, and the U.S. Department of Justice also declined to bring federal charges against him. This fueled public frustration and concerns about the accountability mechanisms in place for police officers.
- Catalyst for Protests & Movement: Garner's death and the phrase "I can't breathe" became emblematic of the larger issues surrounding police violence against Black Americans. This incident, among others, galvanized the Black Lives Matter movement and led to nationwide protests demanding justice and broader police reform.
Commentary: The death of Eric Garner raised concerns and questions the accountability and integrity of all police departments throughout New York City. The NYPD is in no way without error. Termination of employment for Daniel Pantaleo is the result of Eric Garner’s death. However, Daniel should be placed on trial for the murder of Eric Garner because he’s responsible for taking the man’s life through an illegal chokehold.
How does a former NYPD cop only get away with getting fired from the police force and the killing someone without being charged for murder? Getting fired should only be the icing on the cake for Daniel. New Yorkers want to hear that in NYC prosecutor will possibly consider picking up murder charges against this former officer who putting illegal chokehold on Eric and took his life. Getting fired from the police force is nothing, because this former cop can easily put it in employment application somewhere else and move on with his life. Why should Daniel the allowed to move on with his life without murder charges after taking the life of someone else? That’s not fair, don’t you think?
New Yorkers want justice for the murder of Eric Garner. Just because Daniel was an NYPD officer doesn’t mean he’s above the law and better than everyone else. Charge him with murder and lock him up.
Yes, NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo was terminated from the New York Police Department over his involvement in the death of Eric Garner, which occurred on July 17, 2014. Eric Garner died after Pantaleo placed him in what many described as a chokehold during an arrest in Staten Island for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes.
The incident gained widespread attention after a video of the arrest went viral. In the video, Garner can be heard repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe," which later became a rallying cry for protesters and activists advocating against police violence, particularly in the Black community.
The case was highly controversial, with many activists and members of the public calling for Pantaleo's termination and charges to be filed against him. Initially, a Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo on criminal charges in December 2014, which sparked widespread protests.
The federal government then launched a civil rights investigation, but in July 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it would not bring federal charges against Pantaleo. This decision came shortly before the fifth anniversary of Garner's death, which is the statute of limitations for such a charge.
Subsequently, the NYPD conducted its own internal disciplinary trial, and the trial's findings led to Pantaleo's firing. On August 19, 2019, NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill announced Pantaleo's termination, stating that he could no longer serve effectively as a police officer.
Garner's death and Pantaleo's subsequent actions and the lack of initial legal repercussions highlighted broader issues surrounding police use of force, accountability, and race relations in the U.S., leading to widespread protests and calls for reform.
The death of Eric Garner and the aftermath of Officer Pantaleo's actions underscored the growing tension between law enforcement and communities, especially communities of color. The Black Lives Matter movement, which had already been in existence, gained significant momentum as a result of several high-profile cases of unarmed Black individuals being killed by police officers, and Garner's case became emblematic of the larger issue.
Several points emerged from Garner's case that fueled the broader debate:
- Use of Force: The nature of the force used by Pantaleo was a central point of contention. While the NYPD banned chokeholds in 1993, Pantaleo's defense argued that he used a permitted "seatbelt" maneuver. The video evidence led many to argue that Pantaleo's use of force was excessive and directly contributed to Garner's death.
- Police Accountability: Many activists and members of the public were frustrated with what they saw as a lack of accountability for police officers involved in fatal incidents. The fact that Pantaleo wasn't initially indicted by the Staten Island grand jury and wasn't charged by the Department of Justice highlighted systemic issues that many felt were present in the judicial process.
- Body Cameras: The fact that the incident was captured on video by a bystander showcased the power of visual evidence. This further propelled the argument for mandatory body cameras for police officers to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Protests and Movements: Garner's death galvanized thousands to take to the streets, both in New York City and across the nation, demanding justice and broader police reform. "I can't breathe" became not just a representation of Garner's tragic death but a broader symbol of oppression felt by many Black Americans.
- Calls for Reform: The incident intensified calls for reform within the NYPD and other police departments nationwide. Advocates pushed for changes in training, emphasizing de-escalation techniques, and creating more transparent disciplinary processes.
- Impact on Policymakers: Garner's death and the subsequent public outcry pushed policymakers at local, state, and national levels to re-evaluate and, in some cases, overhaul their policies related to policing. In many areas, this led to changes in laws or policies related to police training, accountability, and the use of force.
In sum, while the death of Eric Garner was a tragedy that highlighted the significant flaws and biases present in the U.S. justice system, it also became a catalyst for a broader movement seeking justice, equality, and reform in policing.