
Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner, lays down in the spot where her father died.
(Photo: Andrew Burton/Getty Images)
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner, lays down in the spot where her father died.
The daughter of one of the men whose recent death at the hands of police has sparked a growing national movement against police brutality and racism led a small, yet poignant march in Staten Island, New York on Thursday night and then laid down in the spot where her father lost his life after he was violently assaulted by officers earlier this year.
"This is the spot ... they let an innocent man die, beg for his life, fight for his last breath, and now I have to come here and be his voice because he cannot speak anymore."
--Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner
Erica Garner, named after her father Eric Garner, said she has been holding twice-weekly vigils since her father was killed in July of this year but that last night's turnout was by far the largest she's seen.
As the Guardianreports:
The group staged a "die-in" next to the makeshift memorial, with people lying in the streets on a nearly freezing cold night in the New York City borough.
Garner said she will continue to lead protests in Staten Island twice a week in memory of her father, who died at age 43 after NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in the chokehold. Garner's last words - "I can't breathe. I can't breathe" - have become a rallying cry for protesters across the US since a grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo last month.
Before lying down, Erica spoke to the gathered crowd through a megaphone.
"This is the spot," she said, "that my father screamed out eleven times that he couldn't breathe. Nobody helped him. Nobody tried to help him. Nobody tried to assist him. This is the spot that EMS workers and police officers failed us New Yorkers, because they let an innocent man die, beg for his life, fight for his last breath, and now I have to come here and be his voice because he cannot speak anymore. He can't say it: 'I cant breathe... I can't breathe.'"
"He couldn't breathe," she continued. "This is the spot where my father took his last breath in. And this is where I had to be. There is where I need to be. My father is here with me."
Watch:
Erica Garner Leads Protest on Staten Island 12-11-14Erica Garner is a true blessing. Such a strong and beautiful woman. Peace and blessings to the Garner Family.
Following local protests that have emerged in cities across the country and around the world as a result of Garner's death and the killing of others at the hands of police, a pair of large-scale protests calling for an end to racism and police brutality are scheduled for Saturday in both New York City and Washington, DC.
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
The daughter of one of the men whose recent death at the hands of police has sparked a growing national movement against police brutality and racism led a small, yet poignant march in Staten Island, New York on Thursday night and then laid down in the spot where her father lost his life after he was violently assaulted by officers earlier this year.
"This is the spot ... they let an innocent man die, beg for his life, fight for his last breath, and now I have to come here and be his voice because he cannot speak anymore."
--Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner
Erica Garner, named after her father Eric Garner, said she has been holding twice-weekly vigils since her father was killed in July of this year but that last night's turnout was by far the largest she's seen.
As the Guardianreports:
The group staged a "die-in" next to the makeshift memorial, with people lying in the streets on a nearly freezing cold night in the New York City borough.
Garner said she will continue to lead protests in Staten Island twice a week in memory of her father, who died at age 43 after NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in the chokehold. Garner's last words - "I can't breathe. I can't breathe" - have become a rallying cry for protesters across the US since a grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo last month.
Before lying down, Erica spoke to the gathered crowd through a megaphone.
"This is the spot," she said, "that my father screamed out eleven times that he couldn't breathe. Nobody helped him. Nobody tried to help him. Nobody tried to assist him. This is the spot that EMS workers and police officers failed us New Yorkers, because they let an innocent man die, beg for his life, fight for his last breath, and now I have to come here and be his voice because he cannot speak anymore. He can't say it: 'I cant breathe... I can't breathe.'"
"He couldn't breathe," she continued. "This is the spot where my father took his last breath in. And this is where I had to be. There is where I need to be. My father is here with me."
Watch:
Erica Garner Leads Protest on Staten Island 12-11-14Erica Garner is a true blessing. Such a strong and beautiful woman. Peace and blessings to the Garner Family.
Following local protests that have emerged in cities across the country and around the world as a result of Garner's death and the killing of others at the hands of police, a pair of large-scale protests calling for an end to racism and police brutality are scheduled for Saturday in both New York City and Washington, DC.
The daughter of one of the men whose recent death at the hands of police has sparked a growing national movement against police brutality and racism led a small, yet poignant march in Staten Island, New York on Thursday night and then laid down in the spot where her father lost his life after he was violently assaulted by officers earlier this year.
"This is the spot ... they let an innocent man die, beg for his life, fight for his last breath, and now I have to come here and be his voice because he cannot speak anymore."
--Erica Garner, daughter of Eric Garner
Erica Garner, named after her father Eric Garner, said she has been holding twice-weekly vigils since her father was killed in July of this year but that last night's turnout was by far the largest she's seen.
As the Guardianreports:
The group staged a "die-in" next to the makeshift memorial, with people lying in the streets on a nearly freezing cold night in the New York City borough.
Garner said she will continue to lead protests in Staten Island twice a week in memory of her father, who died at age 43 after NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in the chokehold. Garner's last words - "I can't breathe. I can't breathe" - have become a rallying cry for protesters across the US since a grand jury decided not to indict Pantaleo last month.
Before lying down, Erica spoke to the gathered crowd through a megaphone.
"This is the spot," she said, "that my father screamed out eleven times that he couldn't breathe. Nobody helped him. Nobody tried to help him. Nobody tried to assist him. This is the spot that EMS workers and police officers failed us New Yorkers, because they let an innocent man die, beg for his life, fight for his last breath, and now I have to come here and be his voice because he cannot speak anymore. He can't say it: 'I cant breathe... I can't breathe.'"
"He couldn't breathe," she continued. "This is the spot where my father took his last breath in. And this is where I had to be. There is where I need to be. My father is here with me."
Watch:
Erica Garner Leads Protest on Staten Island 12-11-14Erica Garner is a true blessing. Such a strong and beautiful woman. Peace and blessings to the Garner Family.
Following local protests that have emerged in cities across the country and around the world as a result of Garner's death and the killing of others at the hands of police, a pair of large-scale protests calling for an end to racism and police brutality are scheduled for Saturday in both New York City and Washington, DC.