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Showing posts with label Eric Garner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eric Garner. Show all posts

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Erica Garner dies at 27



Black Lives Matter activist Erica Garner passed away today after suffering an asthma and heart attack which left her in a coma. She was the daughter of Eric Garner who was killed when a police officer placed a choke hold on him causing him to suffocate and get a heart attack.  The officer was later acquited which led to Garner's daughter becoming an activist against police brutality.  Many were shocked at her death including former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. He took to Twitter to offer his condolences.  Others were not so humane. Many from the alt-right movement posted hateful and even celebratory comments after learning of the death of the Black Lives Matter activist. 

Regardless of her views, she was a human being who tried to do the right thing after her father was killed. May she rest in peace. 


































Source:

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/12/30/activist-erica-garner-daughter-of-eric-garner-is-dead-at-27-1/23320133/


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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Officers Down! 10-13


Officers Ramos and Liu 

One of my fears just came true after hearing some protesters demanding cops be killed and having cops as friends.  Two police officers were killed in cold blood on Myrtle and Tompkins Aves in Brooklyn by a deranged man, Ismaaiyl Brinsley from Georgia who first shot his ex-girlfriend in Baltimore and then headed to New York City.  He posted on Instagram that he was going to "give wings to two pigs" using hashtags encouraging to shoot or kill cops.  He wrote:

“I’m Putting Wings On Pigs Today. They Take 1 Of Ours...Let’s Take 2 of Theirs, This May Be My Final Post...I’m Putting Pigs In A Blanket.
#ShootThePolice #RIPErivGarner #RIPMike Brown.”




Police officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu had no chance to draw their weapons.  They probably didn't even see Brinsley coming as they sat in their patrol car.  He aimed at their heads with a silver gun which he posted an image of along with the words above on Instagram.  Commissioner Bratton looked visibly emotional, eyes watery.  Mayor Diblasio as well looked emotional.

Police officer Liu was a newly wed and Police Ramos turned 40 on December 12 and has a 13 year old son who still did not process what happened to his beloved dad.  The whole thing is just heart breaking.  The attack was apparently done in retaliation for Michael Brown and Eric Garner based on the Instagram posts.  Brinsley ran to a crowded subway platform where he shot himself in the head.  

I will update this as I learn more.  It is a sad day.


UPDATE: 12/21/14
According to news reports, Brinsley had a troubled past being arrested numerous times and a record for gun possession.  He had broken into his ex girlfriend's apartment and shot her after attempting to commit suicide.  His ex girlfriend had tried to stop him, but he shot her instead of himself.  Then he called her mom and said he shot her accidentally.  It is believed that he used her cell phone to do so.  Next he would board a bus from Baltimore to New York City.  While in New York, he approached some gang members and asked their affiliation.  He then told them to add him to their Instagram accounts because he was going to do something big and then discarded the phone at the Barcalay's Center. After this, he walked by the patrol car where both officers Ramos and Liu were eating lunch. He came by the passenger side and shot them both in the head execution style.  They did not have any time to react at all.  After the assassination, a postal worker followed Brinsley in his truck and when he saw police officers, he notified them.  They then went after Brinsley who ran into a subway station where he shot himself in the head.

Some people reported that a group of hecklers were applauding at the death of the officers and shouted at police officers present, "good for you."  I have not confirmed this, but it is going around on the internet. A makeshift memorial was created near the scene and keeps growing with flowers, candles and other items.  Prayers were held Sunday evening for the officers and their relatives.  The cousin of Police Officer Ramos seemed to show pity for the coward who took his relative's life.  He said that "we forgive you" and that Brinsley was a troubled man.  This forgiveness is an awesome display of Christianity.  Police Officer Ramos' Facebook lists him as studying at an Evangelical Seminary.  Perhaps he may have been a minister as well in the Evangelical sect. (UPDATE 12/22/14: He was studying to be a chaplain) His Facebook ironically had as his last post a blue imagine which is used when police mourn for their fallen brothers.  This is dated December 18.  Other images on his profile had badges of fallen officers and Biblical or religious messages.

This news has touched everyone.  The New York Yankees are even offering to pay for the education of Ramos' kids.  However as usual, some one always has to take this tragedy and make it into a political game.  PBA president Lynch and conservative political pundits are accusing DiBlasio, Sharpton and protesters of being accomplices of this double cop murder.  



Some images I found:
Patrol car where PO Liu & Ramos were gunned down

Attacker Ismaaiyl Brinsley

Dead corpse of attacker

Dead corpse of the attacker Brinsley




https://www.facebook.com/jaden.ramos.98?fref=nf

Ramos' son Jaden Ramos posted his reaction on his instagram. He is only 13










Source:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/cops-shot-brooklyn-sources-article-1.2051941?fkf&utm_content=buffer79e2a&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=NYDailyNewsTw

http://www.nydailynews.com/deaths-nypd-cops-shot-dead-triggers-wave-sadness-article-1.2052124?utm_content=buffer07213&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=NYDN+Facebook

http://www.nydailynews.com/nypd-cops-turn-backs-de-blasio-hospital-article-1.2052215?utm_content=buffer3d835&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=NYDN+Facebook

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/12/20/im-putting-wings-on-pigs-crazed-mans-online-ranting-before-killing-nypd-cops/21119392/?icid=maing-grid7%7Caol20-os%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D586400

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/20/us/new-york-police-officers-shot/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

http://heavy.com/news/2014/12/ismail-brinsley-nypd-brooklyn-bed-stuy-shooting-suspect/

http://heavy.com/news/2014/12/ismaaiyl-brinsley-pictures-photos-facebook-instagram-bed-stuy-nypd-shooting-bleau-barracuda/

http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/12/21/he-was-best-father-i-could-ask-jaden-ramos-son-slain-nypd-officer-rafael-ramos-eulogizes

http://www.fireandreamitchell.com/2014/12/20/jaden-ramos-son-nypd-rafael-ramos-says-bye-father-facebook/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FireAndreaMitchell+%28Fire+Andrea+Mitchell%21+Exposing+Liberal+bias+cause+the+MSM+doesn%27t+have+to.%29

http://nyc.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/yankees-offer-to-pay-for-the-education-of-jaden-ramos/
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Monday, December 15, 2014

#MillionsMarchNYC

One Saturday December 13, 2014, over 30,000 people marched in New York City protesting the decisions of grand juries who decided not to charge police officers with murder.  The protesters met at Washington Square park and marched down the streets.

NYPD officials let them march without arresting anyone. This has been the new policy under Mayor DiBlasio who want the people to exercise their freedom of speech and assembly without permits as long as they do so peacefully and without obstructing major roads.

The march was peaceful for the most part.  A professor from my alma mater, CUNY, was arrested for alledgely trying to throw a garbage can. Others were arrested as well when they tried to prevent cops from arresting the adjunct professor of English.

Ironically, Washington Square park used to be a place where African Americans and others were
hung to death and left there as a display.  The land itself was used as a potter's field and contains the remains of over 20,000 people who lived centuries ago.

Some people placed signs that read "I can't breathe," echoing the cry of Eric Garner.  Perhaps this was done to connect the past with the present since African Slaves were hung there and hanging does prevent breathing.

The people have had enough and want change.  It seems that we will continue to see these demonstrations until change does occur.





















 



Source:

http://www.millionsmarchnyc.org/

http://www.democracynow.org/2014/12/15/black_youth_organized_millions_march_nyc

http://gothamist.com/2014/12/14/cuny_professor_arrested_for_assault.php

https://www.facebook.com/events/959630214065046/

http://rt.com/usa/214351-millions-march-nyc-timelapse/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iz7hkfNmfTY

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/13/millions-march-nyc_n_6320348.html

http://www.correctionhistory.org/html/chronicl/ny1816-60/oct05a.html
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Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Eric Garner - No Indictment for Cop




Police officer Daniel Pantaleo received a no bill today in court.  A grand jury decided not to indict the officer for the death of Eric Garner who was taken down via a chokehold by Daniel Pantaleo and several officers.  Ironically the decision comes a few hours after the NYPD had a conference showing the use of body cams.  The encounter with Garner was videotaped by a young Latino using his cell phone.  He was arrested weeks after on another charge and claimed to have been stalked by the NYPD.

I will update this post as I learn more details.

UPDATE** 12/4/14

Immediately after the decision by the grand jury, massive protests took place in New York City and in major cities throughout the United States.  Mayor Di Blasio in an unprecedented press conference looked visibly emotional and supported the notion that police have been aggressively targeting minority groups.  He emphasized that he worried about his own son Dante -who is a product of an interracial relationship- becoming a target for police .  This is probably the first time a New York City mayor had sided with the victim instead of the NYPD.  Previous mayors have defended the actions of NYPD.  Di Blasio's comments angered Patrick J. Lynch, president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association who called the mayor's comments irresponsible and described them as siding with the "criminal" who in this case would be Eric Garner.

Many throughout the nation and world are in disbelief that there was no indictment against Daniel Pantaleo who is clearly seen taking down Garner with a chokehold.  Chokeholds while not illegal in New York are against NYPD policy and are prohibited. Some supporters of the non-indictment claim that Garner was simply taken down and that he was not being suffocated because he was saying "I can't breathe."  According to them, people who can't breathe can't talk.  This of course is simply a silly contrarian response as one can speak out of distress with little oxygen still in the lungs. Moreover, the fact that the medical examiner ruled Eric Garner's death a homicide is very telling. The death was caused by a chokehold, compression to the neck and chest as detailed in the report.  This contradicts the claims that Garner died of health related problems.  It is sad that some are trying to rationalize their defense of this non-indictment when the facts clearly stated that his death was caused by a chokehold, compression to the neck and chest; not to mention that it was ruled at homicide!

Ironically, hours before the decision was released, mayor Di Blasio and commissioner Bratton had a press conference exhibiting the body cams that were going to be tested in several precincts.  Perhaps this is one of the reasons the mayor was upset after the decision.  The idea of body cams has been presented as a means to reduce incidents like that of Michael Brown and Eric Garner; however, if a video of Garner's encounter with the NYPD was clearly presented and it did not aid in indicting Pantaleo, then what good would body cams on police officers be?  Moreover, some political pundits such as Sean Hannity of Fox News downplay the experiences of minorities with police officers and bring up Black on Black crimes out of ignorance.  Attorney general Eric Holder said in a press conference that many studies indicate that there is a big problem with police aggression especially when dealing with minorities. This is a big problem that must be addressed.

A judge allowed limited information regarding the grand jury to be released.  According to the data, there were 50 witnesses, 22 of the 50 were civilians while 28 of them were a mix of police, EMT workers and doctors.  There were 60 exhibits shown including 4 videos.  It is believed that perhaps the evidence was presented in such a way as to support the claim that Pantaleo was simply "taking down" Eric Garner.  Some believe the district attorney on the case was not objective since they often work daily with police; not to mention that this attorney was elected in Staten Island which is the most conservative of the 5 boroughs and where many NYPD officers reside in.  They speculate that this attorney may have tried to "please" Staten Island constituents, many who are NYPD officers.  We cannot know for sure what really happened and what exactly was presented due to the fact that grand juries are supposed to be secretive.

As is the norm now, Twitter and other social media lit up with many hashtags and tweets.  Here are some:







































































































I applaud New Yorkers for carrying out peaceful protests.  Please keep it like this!  Let us pray for all those involved in this tragedy.  God help us all!

































Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/us/police-officer-daniel-pantaleo/index.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/eric-garner-death-ruled-homicide-medical-examiner-article-1.1888808

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nypd-eric-garner-chokehold-death-not-indicted-article-1.2031841

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/12/04/understanding-eric-garner-death-and-grand-jury-decision/s9uQPMvcKPD2mAmFy2ln9J/story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/eugene-robinson-the-eric-garner-cases-sickening-outcome/2014/12/03/283c0e02-7b5c-11e4-b821-503cc7efed9e_story.html

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/us/eric-garner-chokehold-debate/

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/outrage-protests-continue-second-day-over-eric-garner-decision-n262011

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-york-mayor-speaking-after-protests-eric-garner-case-policing-n261716

http://www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/eric-garner-grand-jury-didnt-see

http://online.wsj.com/articles/new-york-city-mayor-bill-de-blasio-draws-praise-criticism-for-handling-of-eric-garner-case-1417724701

http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/04/us/eric-garner-ferguson-body-cameras-debate/
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Monday, August 25, 2014

Rally in Staten Island

On Saturday August 23, a large rally took place in Staten Island New York protesting police brutality and discrimination.  The rally was led by Al Sharpton in response to the choking death of Eric Garner.  Garner was killed by a plainclothes police officer by means of a chokehold. The entire thing was caught on video.

To date, the cop has not been charged or arrested despite the medical examiner ruling the death of Garner a homicide.  This is what is boiling up tempers especially among minorities who feel the police harass them kill them and get away with it. This rally got even more steam due to the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

The rally was thankfully peaceful and comprised of prayers, song, and chants, "We Will Not Go Back" referring to the Civil Rights era where African Americans were not given a platform to speak and were often hosed down by the police and firemen when they attempted to organize a protest.

Those participating insisted that the rally was not an anti-police march, but an attempt to bring attention to the issue of unarmed minorities being killed and not receiving justice. There was some controversy regarding unions participating in the march.  Others criticize the march describing it as a ploy for Sharpton and other race-baiters to get attention and flame the fires of racism.

The march and rally had people of all races who took to the streets to protest.  Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York called on participants to be peaceful.  He wasn't present at the march. Usually Catholic clergy don't participate in these sort of rallies because they need to be neutral and not take sides.





Source:

http://gothamist.com/2014/08/24/march.php#photo-1

http://online.wsj.com/articles/protesters-head-to-staten-island-for-al-sharptons-eric-garner-rally-1408807227

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/chokehold-death-demonstrators-leave-harlem-bus-staten-island-article-1.1914257

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/24/nyregion/at-eric-garner-rally-new-york-labor-groups-support-both-police-and-protestors.html?_r=0  

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/20/cardinal-timothy-dolan-hosts-meeting-with-mayor-bill-de-blasio-religious-leaders-to-discuss-eric-garners-death/

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/10455054-cardinal-dolan-called-to-reunite-city-amid-eric-garner-controversy/
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Monday, July 21, 2014

Police Choke Hold

A New Yorker recently died after being put in a choke hold by a NYPD officer.  Eric Garner is seen on a video taken by someone with a cellphone complaining to police that he is always being targeted.  Obviously frustrated, he lifted his hand in a gesture showing that he "had enough."

However, one shorter office tried to cuff him while another one almost as tall as Garner, grabbed Garner by the neck in a choke hold and slammed him down.  Other officers then jumped in to hold Garner down.  One of them even pressed his head into the pavement.  Eric Garner did nothing wrong. As a matter of fact, he was being a good Samaritan by breaking up a fight on the sidewalk.

Garner is a big man weighing over 350 lbs.  He had asthma and complained that he could not breathe. Despite this cry, the NYPD on the scene continued to hold him down. EMT workers who arrived on the scene did not even perform CPR or provided any other medical assistance.  Eric Garner was later pronounced dead.  Garner was arrested in the past for petty crimes such as possession of drugs and selling bootleg cigarettes.  He even filed a lawsuit against the police citing that he was the target or harassment by cops who "took away his manhood" by humiliating him constantly.  The suit was dropped because of problems with the addressed he used to file the lawsuit.

The news is tragic indeed. It is obvious that the NYPD were constantly harassing this guy if he had to file a lawsuit.  Unfortunately, it was thrown out and had it not been so, he probably would have been alive today.  The use of force by the NYPD in the video is unacceptable. Chokeholds are illegal. They have been illegal since 1994 when an NYPD officer killed Anthony Baez using the same hold.  I have always had issue with the "use of force" by police. They can literally do anything to someone from punching, stomping, slapping, kneeing, slamming etc and most of the time not get punished for this abuse. Moreover, anyone who defends him/herself against a cop is charged with a felony.  It is totally unfair. If a person is being attacked by the police even during an arrest and fears for his life, he/she should be allowed to use force as well in order to prevent his/her own death.

The officer who put him in a choke hold, 8 year veteran Officer Daniel Pantaleo, was stripped of his gun and badge and put on desk work. Paramedics who did not attend to Garner were also suspended. The cause of Garner's death is inconclusive, but officers at the scene stated he seemed to be having a heart attack. Garner most likely had an asthma attack and suffocated to death; had a heart attack, or had an asthma attack that triggered a heart attack.

It is sad to hear that we lost another life at the hands of those who are there to "Serve and Protect." However, the current Police Commissioner of New York, William J. Bratton has ordered that all NYPD officers be retrained.  He also wants to see for himself how officers are trained. This is good news and I applaud him for taking this step instead of trying to sugar coat it as "police work" that was justified.  Moreover, I applaud Mayor De Blasio for postponing his vacation to attend to this tragedy.

Let us pray for the repose of the soul of Eric Garner, for his loved ones and for change in the NYPD's culture of aggression and abuse.




source:

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/eric-garner-autopsy-inconclusive-authorities-article-1.1876096

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/20/justice/ny-chokehold-death/

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/07/21/questions-continue-to-mount-in-case-of-staten-island-man-who-died-in-police-custody/

http://abcnews.go.com/US/nypd-cop-chokehold-death-loses-gun-badge/story?id=24634470

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-nypd-choking-death-20140718-story.html

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