The Final Call

We want justice for Eric Garner

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(L) Gwen Carr, the mother of Eric Garner and family members attend a pre-march rally on Staten Island. (R) Protesters prepare posters for August 16 march in Union Square, NYC. Photos: Saeed Shabazz

Chokeholds a national concern, warn activists (FCN, 08-11-2014)

NEW YORK - On Aug. 14, there were reportedly vigils in 90 U.S. cities, as part of a mobilization called a “National Moment of Silence for Victims of Police Brutality.” In New York City, over 1,000 participants marched from Union Square to Times Square where police made several arrests, according to reports.

The same day three members of the NYC Congressional delegation,  Yvette Clarke, Hakeem Jeffries and Gregory Meeks, all Democrats, held a press conference in front of NYPD headquarters urging U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder to conduct a federal investigation into the death of an unarmed Staten Islander, Eric Garner, 43.

The father of six, who had asthma, was placed in an apparent chokehold by police officers and died.

A massive protest is scheduled for Staten Island Aug. 23 and civil rights leaders Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Herbert Daughtry say there will be a caravan of buses crossing the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to demonstrate in front of the office of District Attorney Daniel Donovan. Activists want the officer or officers responsible for Mr. Garner’s death arrested and charged with his murder. Mr. Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr speaking to supporters on August 16 at the scene of her son’s death said “stay strong, the more we stand together we’ll get what we want, which is justice for Eric.”