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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (July 23, 2014)
National News Black Man killed in a Chokehold by NYPd Officer By Herb Boyd Special to NNPA NEW YORK – Rev. Al Sharpton was in the middle of his speech recounting how Eric Garner, 43, had been killed in a chokehold by NYPD officer when Gar- ner’s wife collapsed by his side on the stage of the National Action Network in Harlem on Saturday morn- ing. “They will try to scandal- ize the deceased,” Sharpton said of the NYPD and what he anticipated they would say. “The issue is not about an unarmed man selling cig- arettes…It’s about a man who was subjected to a chokehold and is no longer with us.” At that point, Esaw Gar- ner collapsed and had to be held up by Sharpton and Rev. Herbert Daughtry, another prominent activist. After she was led from the stage and to a backroom, Sharpton continued his speech. “You can never pre- dict how someone will react to grief,” he said. All of Garner’s relatives were in pain and weeping as they left the stage, including his mother, Gwen Carr, his sister Ellisha Flagg, and his daughter, Emerald Garner. Sharpton promised the family that the National Action Network would pay for the funeral next week of a man the family knew as “Big E” or more affection- ately the “Bear” by his wife. None of these appella- tions were effective in stopping the officers who sought to detain him in front of a hardware store in Staten Island last Thursday. It didn’t matter to the offi- cers who surrounded him that he was the father of six children and was known as the “Gentle Giant.” Or, the fact that he repeatedly told them: “I can’t breathe.” Once Garner, who was asthmatic, was no longer moving the cops took a step back and one of them stooped over Garner as if to see if he was still alive. He wasn’t. The entire video can be seen on YouTube courtesy of liveleak. At a press conference Fri- PHOTO BY HERB BOYD Outrage nationwide at newest New York Police scandal over banned procedure Edaw Garner, the wife of NYPd fatal choking victim, collapses in the arms of Rev. Al Sharpton (right) and Rev. Herbert daughtry (left) at NAN headquarters in New York. day afternoon, Mayor Bill de Blasio, who post- poned his vacation departure to Italy, expressed his condolences. After ask- ing that people not jump to conclusions, he said, “We have a responsibility to keep every New Yorker We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that work- ers deserve a "family wage" - fair pay for an honest day's work. A family wage, and the benefits that go with it, not only strength- ens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens' needs. Our family wage agenda reflects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that workers can hold dear regard- less of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. The Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representing more than 5.000 construction workers in Oregon State. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? safe, and that includes when individuals are in custody of the NYPD. That is a respon- sibility that Police Commissioner [William] Bratton and I take very seri- ously. We are harnessing all resources available to the city to ensure a full and said that the corner where the incident occurred had been the source of numer- ous complaints from storeowners. “Mr. Garner went into cardiac arrest while in the ambulance on the way to the hospital,” Bratton said, “and he died Once Garner, who was asthmatic, was no longer moving the cops took a step back and one of them stooped over Garner as if to see if he was still alive. He wasn’t. thorough investigation of the circumstances of this tragic incident. The NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau is working closely with the Office of the Rich- mond County District Attorney, which is leading this investigation,” the mayor added. Bratton began his remarks by citing the arrest record of Garner and explaining that the police were there to apprehend Garner for the sale of illegal cigarettes. He upon arrival.” During the question and answer session Bratton said that two of the officers involved in the incident have been placed on “desk duty” while the investiga- tion continues, and that the “final determination” of the circumstances will come from the District Attorney’s office. Watching Garner, who weighed more than 300 pounds struggle to free him- self from the chokehold was Ella’s Kitchen FORMERLY SOUP & SOAP Southern Style Cuisine (one taste will bring you back) 3505 N. Mississippi Ave. Mon—Sun 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Breakfast Lunch Special Dinner Seafood Dessert Each Orders To Go .25¢ 503-927-6708 Page 8 The Portland and Seattle Skanner July 23, 2014 reminiscent of the death of Anthony Baez in 1994. After a football hit a police car, Baez, who also suffered from asthma, was confront- ed and placed in a chokehold that took his life. Two years before the incident with Baez, chokeholds had been outlawed by the NYPD. His mother was among those in attendance at the NAN rally on Saturday. “The video raises serious questions and it is important that we review whether departmental procedures were followed,” said Public Advocate Letitia James. “There must be a swift investigation of this horrific incident.” New York City’s Patrol- men’s Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch said in a statement, “Not wanting to be arrested does not grant an individual the right to resist arrest nor does it free the officers of the obligation to make the arrest,” he said. “In these cases, justice for all involved demands a complete and thorough investigation of all the facts before any conclusions are drawn.” Later Saturday afternoon, Sharpton led a rally in Stat- en Island where he was joined by members of the Garner family as they marched to the spot where the encounter occurred. A number of candles and flowers were placed at the spot. Garner’s funeral is to be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church, on Bergen Street, in Brooklyn.
