Protests are expected to continue, after federal prosecutors decided not to file civil rights charges in the Eric Garner case.
“We’re going to fight this to the last straw if I’m the only one out on the street,” Garner’s mother Gwen Carr said.
Garner’s supporters are threatening to shut the city down with a series of protests over the next 11 days.They had hoped civil rights charges would be brought against Officer Daniel Pantaleo. He was accused of putting Garner in a chokehold, but prosecutors said a chokehold wasn’t being applied when Garner repeated the words “I can’t breathe.”
For Garner’s family, the hope now rests with the outcome of an NYPD trial. The proceedings have already wrapped up and city officials are waiting on a recommendation for possible disciplinary action.
“Mayor de Blasio, do your job. Fire these officers.I’m calling for them to be fired today. You don’t have to wait for anything else,” Carr said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said he can’t fire Officer Pantaleo or overrule any decision that Police Commissioner James O’Neill makes. A recommendation is expected by the end of August.
Wednesday marks five years since the death of Garner. It was also the deadline for filing federal civil rights charges. A grand jury previously declined to bring charges.
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