On this day, 17 July 2014, Eric Garner, an innocent Black man, was murdered by white NYPD officers while arresting him after they suspected him of illegally selling cigarettes. He was choked to death while he pleaded with officers, telling them that he couldn't breathe. On December 3 of that same year a grand jury decided not to charge the NYPD officer who put Garner in a lethal chokehold. The event sparked protests and rallies across the USA. On July 13, 2015, an out-of-court settlement was announced in which the City of New York would pay the Garner family $5.9 million. Just yesterday, federal prosecutors decided not to pursue any charges against the killer.
Pictured: Eric Garner with his wife Esaw