I Can't Breathe!

Krvin DeFranco

It never should have gotten that far. Eric Garner knew that he was breaking the law. He was cited what 37 times previously. If he said I'm sorry officer I'll leave; it probably would have been over at that point. Mr. Garner was confrontational and showed no willingness to comply with the officers command. When he moved his hands around blocking the officer's attempt to cuff him, he resisted arrest. At this point it became tragic. There was no way an officer that size could subdue a man that size. And given the circumstances of his medical status, a taser might have been fatal to Mr. Garner if used. As was evident from the video it was quite a task to bring him down to be cuffed. Unknown to the officers his cry for help stating I can't breathe was a real physical emergency. Many shoplifters, thieves, and criminals use such tactics while being subdued to stop police or security personnel from cuffing them. This was not racially motivated. Aside from Mr. Garners crime, I believe that not monitoring his physical condition while incarcerated was negligent and should be treated as criminal also. Whether the officer who did the so called choke hold was responsible or not is questionable, as he was alive and breathing as he entered the police station. However, upon being taken to the police station, and unattended to, somebody has to be held accountable. There was no reason for this, or any other man to die over selling loose cigarettes. Period. I, remember guys buying cigarettes off another student in high school, no tax was charged or paid, and NO ONE GOT KILLED!! Although they were within their rights to complain to police, I wouldn't want to be those bodega owners for anything. Having to live the rest of my life knowing what happened over "Money".

Kelly Logan

Please change headline from "I can't breath" to I can't breathe"...that e on the bend of the word makes a big difference.

ae7135@hmamail.com

Police Officers have a very tough job, may GOD bless them all.

DirtyPaw

Thank you jo-ann! All I am attempting is to make a point, like it or not the police are the conscience of society. Trust me when I say, we the police will never walk off the job we the police took an oath which is sacred to us to uphold the laws and to dispence justice impartially. I have taken that oath in the military (Vietnam during my Army years) and as a police office and I would die to live up to it. Yes, you are correct that there are bad apples in every aspect of life and our working world which includes police officer, we just need to weed them out of the force because they do not deserve to put a badge on, nor stap a weapon to their side. There is nothing more important in my world than to protect our fellow citizens and to administer the law equally to all. I really do hope this resonates with everyone because it is so important to understand we the police are here for everyone of any race or religion.

Blessings

Mark

I'm disappointed to see anger and hatred in a blog dedicated to the Creator. Don't you understand that this is exactly what evil intends? That the best way to create more evil is to divide us and seperate us? This is a terrible thing. No one should die like that and we need to start seeing each other as HUMANS not blacks or whites, Asians or Latinos.

I don't know what the answer is right now, but I can tell you that it involves love, not hatred. Don't allow yourselves to be divided. Stay together in peace and love and let the hatred go.

DirtyPaw

I am a seasoned retired Police Officer/Homicide Detective. I was a detective for more than 10 years of my service in the Kansas City Metroplex. Any time a life is taken it is a terrible event no matter the circumstances. I was fortunate to have never fired my weapon while on duty. However, there were very close incidents where I could of fired, but at the last minute the suspect always submitted to the commands (thank GOD) I was giving to take the individual into custody. It is ignorant to ignore lawfull commands by any police officer for any reason, you will have your day in court instead of an unfortunate incident such as what happened in NY instead of resulting in your early meeting with your creator. With that said I wish to weigh in on the incident in New York, NY. That was not a "choke hold" that the officer was using! I was a certified instuctor for that hold so I have some knowledge in the use of said manuver or hold if you will. Only the people at the incident really know what the heck happend so everyone should wait for the investigation to be completed. Yes I am certain that officer will disciplined resulting in his dismissal from the department for a breach of NY Citiy's Police Dept. S.O.P. (standared opperating procedure). Watch the taped version of the incident. The officer only had his right arm around the suspects neck which in that position he was in he could not of choked the suspect. The suspect was being taken down and that officer was going down too. Try to imagine if you were off balence and falling how could you put pressure on the neck, please think about that for a minute? First of all it takes both arms to apply this hold or it is ineffective or will not work. The officers strong arm goes around the neck while the other goes behind the neck enterlocking the arms. Once this is accomplished the officer applies slight pressure with his/her strong arm left to right. You never pull the neck of the suspect toward you. In other words when using this technique you do not pull toward the "adams apple" It is the cutting off the blood flow to the brain via the carotid artery just by closing ones strong arm left to right. Please Google "choke holds" to see a image to understand just how the arms of the person appling this technique would appear. As you will see it is no where close to the officers positioning of his left arm in the video. Okay please understand I believe it is a terrible tragedy anytime a death occurs, all I am trying to accomplish is to attempt to articulate a theory of what might of happend. If the officer was not using his arm around the suspects neck there would be nothing to disscuss here. To wrap my comment up I would like to say the suspect was only contacted due to complaints by local business owners. Once the officer arrived the suspect should of submitted to the officers commands therefor the suspect would most likely be alive today. Some might say it is just another case of "suicide by cop". Would I have handled the call different? Yes, I would of requested he move along to a different location away from any stores, but maybe the officer tried that, but, possibly the suspect refused and forced the officers hand.

KESSIAH LOCKHART YOUNG, MDiv

“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed....Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never.” ― Elie Wiesel, Night

Why be a minister if all you do is generate more hate, more ignorance, more white privilege. I am shocked by the lack of diversity I see on these posts. Wow!

Ms.Janice

There has been upresident brutality from police for years. There are so many cases you never hear about them. Humanity has the will to do good and evil. Its the free will that the maker has given us. There will always be the few who make it bad for the peaceful many. Le

piphany

With all the accusations of racism flying around in this forum, I thought it would be a good time to revive a poll I did after the Trayvon Martin shooting by George Zimmerman. The poll is on my Wordpress blog and is called Racial Profiling - How Do You Feel? After taking the poll, you can see the results and respondent comments on my blog. Please feel free to forward it to others who might be interested in taking the poll. Here's the link - copy and paste it into your browser.

http://piphany.polldaddy.com/s/who-s-more-threatening

Sam McBride

Illinois Just Made it a Felony for Its Citizens to Record the Police and the Media is Silent Read more at http://thefreethoughtproject.com/illinois-felony-citizens-record-police-media-silent/#ftPQL8ZrXfCI6yxm.99 All the police IDIOT that are willing to give up their freedom should be happy. However when it hit home and hurt them they will be sorry they let the police become so powerful. I guss a lot of people are to stupid to understand this is nto a BLACK AND WHITE ISUE it is a rich and poor issue. RICH PEOPLE HAVE RIGHTS POOR PEOPLE HAVE NO RIGHTS

mustang

Thank you Piphany! this is a problem with society not 100% police brutality. yes there are cops that are badge heavy, but the majority of police are out to protect the public and maintain order. Imagine what our society would/will be like if police are not able to do their job because of some ones race. truly think about it. people should not have fake guns that look like real ones. Parents should teach respect all people and above "respect yourself" I'm tired of hearing how the police are targeting black folk. the police are targeting those who are breaking our laws as a society. If the majority of those are black folks perhaps the African American community should take a look at that.

piphany

Sorry, you're wrong -- a white 12 year old waiving a toy gun and pointing it at passersby is also a wannabe thug. The "toy" gun in question, btw, looked exactly like a real gun, not the cap guns of our youth. Don't blame the police, blame the parents for not raising the kid to know better.

Blind Juror

PLEASE stop blaming the grand juries in these cases. They were mixed-race groups, people. I've served on a grand jury here in Colorado for the one-year required term (it's a big commitment) and I can tell you firsthand that the jury makes its decision solely on the evidence that's presented. If the DA's office doesn't have enough evidence to prosecute (cops, in these cases), the grand jurors HAVE TO turn down the case. The jury is NOT "releasing", "refusing to indict", or "failing" to indict. Please differentiate between the legal system (police) and the judicial system (jurors, courts and judges). The grand jury cannot release criminals - that's the legal system. It's frustrating how the media has colored and slanted these stories. And let's do give the police some credibility here - they have difficult jobs and do have to make split-second decisions. Yes, they make mistakes - if anything, a manslaughter charge should be introduced rather than homicide. No cop relishes pulling the trigger.

Cardinal Rolf Eithorn

It is sad to read the idiotic, single IQ comments of most of the posters. The most-rev, police shield especially, seething with a fascist point of view, the police are not above the law. Their duties in most cases are not life threatening or require an attitude of 'us against them'. Yes, it a racist thing. Yes, it is a class thing. The single fact of all these homicides committed by police occurred is not black on black crime or failure of the victim to obey and cede our civil rights to any cop, the real fact is police don't respect anyone but each other. As for including any links, the link to common sense, human rights, mutual respect, etc, are experiencing server issues due to American insanity..

marc

When people can put themselves in the police officers shoes and see the disrespect, lying and lack of morals they see on a daily basis, then they have room to speak. The man in question had been arrested over 70 times for selling illegal cigarettes, not twice, not five, not even ten times, over SEVENTY !... When is it enough? Yes this is a misdermeanor charge, but 70 times? The problem is that the liberal judges don't want anyone to do jail time, they just want to fine people, counties have realize they can make a lot of money off of criminals. Judges need to be more harsh, we need more prisons and people need to start showing respect to police, then maybe the police might start showing respect to them. When you take crap everyday day in day out, you eventually start dealing the crap back. We as humans can only take so much crap. Blacks in America should start teaching their children respect and responsibility. Yeah them good work ethics. All their children see now is parents abusing the systems, disrespecting each other and the more children they have the more welfare they get. Blacks fought so hard to be treated equal, they need to start acting equal, pull you own weight, no one press them anything. The past is the past, show that you want to be a part of society instead of being a burden on society.

Jane Ester Crow

I read all that is being said here. It sounds as though 3/4 is of European descent with a few officers involved. I do believe police officers serve and protect their own, that being cops and whites. The Pliocene force from it's origin have been taught to protect their own and a black life is worthless. I also understand the fear of those who perpetuate violent acts on others project and tranfer that fear onto those they fear because of the violence they created. In short their fear is from their negative acts toward others so their guilt forces their unnecessary fear I upon blacks. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. What do Europeans expect? They perpetrate chaos with the expectation of peace? And then blame the victim for defending self? What makes their life more important than the next? I hear much privilege going around here without consideration of how I dignified blacks have been treated since the trade began. It's about humananity toward all. Who's the big bad wolf here with the ego looking to claim self as the righteous. Sounds like the enemy instead.

peace on earth

ok now reading al that is here and all that was on TV and the news and the papers,, I feel that the officer was a little hard on this man, I said man.. I agree with others here RESPECT and Obey the law and a officer when they ask and tell you to do what they say. this was a man who was known to break the law before, he should of just done what he was ask to do, again RESPECT & OBEY the Law... on the other side of this,, we need to stop using the words black or white man when we talk about things that are happing,, there men, when we start saying a man/women was shot/killed/robbed or what ever, race will never go away if we/you/I keep using the statement a white man or a black man did what ever. this is the 21st century, if we what racism to end in this world we need to change the way we talk when telling the news of what is going on in this world. I feel that there are way to many people don't want it to end so that money and fame and for what other things I would rather not say. get a job, stop sell drugs and get a real lift and put in your due, don't keep looking for the big hand outs, there gone. protest ? yes that is your right in the USA. but don't steel burn and destroy others property in doing so, what right do you or anyone to do that. that is just wrong.. we all need to wake up and start looking at all as the same as we are/you are,,. treat each other as we would like to be treated. KIND FAIR RESPECT . I know we can do it, we need to start so all will live together

Rev. Lee Feldman-Redick

It's clear that white supremacy is the prevailing paradigm in the US; and, in many of the posts, here. This poison warps rational thought processes. The courts and the police are one-and-the same. People "conveniently" choose to forget US history: Founded upon slavery and genocide; built up upon slave and immigrant labor; and so forth. Grand juries are a prosecutors "dream": Anything "close" to "reasonable cause to bring to trial" is the benchmark.

Some, here, feel quite comfortable putting blame on Black people. Interesting, to say the least. Several years ago a right-wing economist/think-tank/DOD adviser wrote a book, Turbo Capitalism. In this text he "crunched the numbers" and concluded: For inner-city youth, crime is a Rational Choice. Now, ask yourself, what kind of outmoded, sadistic system would operate that way? Apparently, to many, here and elsewhere, Black lives do not matter!

Joy Christi

Yes, the police certainly have a tough job and everyone makes mistakes. The difference between the mistakes of Mike Brown and Eric Garner and the officers that ended their lives are, that the officers are still alive. Nowhere on the state or federal level is the punishment immediate Firing Squad.

Rev JBD

I believe the most common problem we have with issues like this is that no one who voices their opinion so strongly has ever been in the situation. The following is my opinion only and I express it from EXPERIENCE, not how I feel at the time I saw the video. Should the officer be indicted? No, Should some type of administrative action be taken YES. What action? Training defiantly for starters. Why? He attempted to obtain control of a suspect and the suspect refused to comply so he used the amount of force necessary to control the situation. NO MATTER WHAT THE CRIME IS if you are in the right then why fight? All that will do is get you or someone else hurt. You may beat the rap but you will not beat the ride. DO it legally, and then hold those accountable for false accusations. The suspect REFUSED, as he stated "do not touch me", to comply with the officer. He was clearly larger than the officer. Did the officer go too far??? At first I would say yes to an extent as the situation did not get extremely violent at first. However, he was refusing to comply and obviously was stronger than the officer. That is what officers are trained to do. It’s not to be mean or powerful. It is for safety. You can’t always say please and thank you and people comply. It was obvious in this case because no one was raising their voice but the suspect was agitated but NOT violent, just uncooperative. Too many times I have seen people NOT comply saying "I’m not doing anything wrong", yet refusing to comply. The suspect being larger or more powerful than the officer with hands up saying I’m not doing anything and walking away only to provoke attention to themselves for bystanders (someone with a camera) to watch and say he wasn’t doing anything when the officer threw him or her on the ground. Yet again if they weren’t doing anything wrong why were they not doing what the officer told them to do? IF you get pulled over and the officer asks to see your driver’s license are you not going to give it to the officer because you don’t think you were doing anything wrong? Are you going to argue with the officer? Are you going to drive off? NO you won’t. You will give it to the officer, get your ticket and either pay the fine and gripe about it OR you will fight it in court. Could this situation gone bad. O yes, in a heartbeat. Google officer injuries and you will see plenty "ROUTINE" stops and etc that have gotten officers killed or seriously injured. Give this about 3-6 months and you won’t hear about these kinds of incidents for a while. Why? Because the media needs to eat and another "hot" story will be in place. Think about it. How many murders, missing children, high speed chases did you hear about on 9-11? I bet none. But you know what??? They still happened. How many times do you hear about officers killed in the line of duty PROTECTING us? Not many huh? Google it and see how many there are each year. You will be shocked. The last thing we want to do is desensitize our officers into the attitude of I’m not going to do anything to this person no matter the crime because I don’t want to get sued, hurt, or fired because he/she is a different race than I am. What’s bad is that race is brought up when the situation is black vs. white the majority of the time. How often do you see race as an issue when its white vs. white, black vs. black, black vs. Hispanic, Asian vs. white, and it goes on and on. Why is that? Asian's can’t hate white people? Black people can’t hate Hispanic people? Etc? In my town where were the protesters when a black serial killer killed a Hispanic man, shot an Asian man in the head, killed 2 white ladies and last killed a white fireman that caught him raping his 2 white nieces? All within a 3 month time frame. Where were the racist protesters for that? Or the second black serial killer that raped, and killed 4 elderly white women before being caught. I saw no racist protesters for that demanding justice, looting, burning down houses, businesses and etc. The Bible, Koran, prophecy, or whatever you choose to believe teaches all the same meaning at some point. Accept, have faith and forgive. We are not here to judge only your higher power can do that. God, Buddha, Allah, etc. We enforce our man made laws and in the end you will be judged and have your day to explain and be forgiven when the time comes. But until then we must accept the past. Learn from it and Teach from it. We cannot change it. BUT we can change the future. Do not become part of the problem, be the solution. Do what you think is right within the boundaries you are given. If they are not right then help make the change to make it right. I am not pro police or anti police. I am for what is right and fair for everyone. I work in Law Enforcement yes. I am a supervisor. I deal with complaints on a daily basis. Most can be dis-proven with the tools I have. Audio and Video recordings and witnesses. I stand behind the people I supervise given they are within the law their training and policy. If they are not then shame on them. They have and will face the consequences. Lets stop complaining and start doing something about it. Put the pressure on those that make the laws, not the unfortunate ones that have to enforce the laws that someone else believes should be in place because they don't like it. The law makers should listen to what the people want. We need to stop living in the past. Times have changed. It is time we change with it.

piphany

The police perform one of the most dangerous jobs there is. The thing that everyone is too politically correct or even afraid to say is that the reason blacks have a higher arrest rate is because, unfortunately, blacks commit a higher number of crimes per capita. On the other hand, whites, Hispanics, etal are treated no differently when confronted by the police for committing similar crimes. The bottom line is: don't commit the crimes and the police won't have a reason to arrest you. And if you are being placed under arrest, don't argue, resist, run, fight, or otherwise give the police a reason to do a "takedown" or shoot you. Just put your hands behind your back and wait for the handcuffs. And if you're a twelve-year-old wannabe thug, don't waive a toy gun around in public!

Father Flannagan

They were unarmed CITIZENS, Unarmed Black CITIZENS, if they can be killed with such abandon we all are vulnerable. When I was a kid, cops use to duke it out, with fists or clubs even with a knife-armed suspect. The Fascists are in charge now and they have an army.

Jack L. Finney

I agree it's a police problem. Police in this country are out of control and at some point it has to be dealt with. The Supreme Court has ruled that police are under no obligation to protect their community, so what do they do? It seems at this point they are just a profit center for the community. They're more concerned with confiscating property and money than they are with serving and protecting. Killing people under very flimsy pretense is wrong no matter what. Judge, jury, and executioner they should never be.Thou shalt not kill, i've read that somewhere, when do we as a people start following that doctrine.As ministers we should know this.Do unto others....

Mathew Hall

It was murder @ the officer should pay for it did Rodney King deserve it they just got caught it happens all over the Country even all over the World we are not imune

JO-ANN

FIRSTLY.....I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT 99% OF THE POST THAT I READ WERE SUCH A VOICE OF REASON.....FINALLY....AND, I AM SO VERY MUCH AT PEACE TO SEE THAT PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THE MINISTRY AND THE NEWSLETTER HAVE THIS CALM RESOLVE AND SANITY TO THE EPIC PROBLEM WE ARE FACING WITH THE CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION NOW BEING WITNESSED BY US ALL.....THAT BEING SAID..........BOTH INCIDENTS....OVER A CIGAR AND CIGARETTES.....REALLY....BUT, THAT IS NOT THE WHOLE PICTURE....BOTH INCIDENTS THEN ESCALATED OVER RESISTING ARREST....AND THEREIN LIES THE PROBLEM.....WITH ANYONE ...BLACK ..WHITE.....OR PURPLE.....BASIC NO RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY...AND, SORRY TO SAY ....BUT, PARENTS- PARENTS -PARENTS ARE MORE TO BLAME THAN ANYTHING....BUT, THEY ARE PROBABY OUT OF TOUCH AND AFRAID OF RECOURSE FROM THIER OWN CHILD....question?....WHY DIDN'T YOU GIVE YOUR CHILD $5.00 FOR A CIGAR....OR TELL YOUR CHILD ....DON'T EVER POINT THAT PLAY GUN AT ANYONE!!!! AND, LASTLY A DECENT JOB FOR A MAN TRYING TO HELP SUPPORT 5 OR 6 CHILDREN WITH BLACK MARKET SALES.....WOW...BOUGLES ONES MIND TO HEAR WHAT BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYERS MAKE FOR A LIVING ALL BECAUSE THEY HAVE SKILLS WITH A ball...... ANYWAY ...ENOUGH FROM ME.....THANK GOD....WE HAVE ...GOD...IN HIM DO WE TRUST AND RELY!

Thomas F Gibson

I lived in Staten Island for ten years and can speak to this situation with objectivity. The police maintain law and order..period! They do not want any more problems than they already have with the citizens. When a police officer tells you to do something, you do so without question. Halt, you stop. Hands up, means put your hands in plain view above your head.This large individual resisted arrest and was subdued with necessary force. Many Blacks act aloof of social mores and exhibit a behavior that flaunts authority.

He was breaking the law and paid the ultimate price for resisting arrest. Lets compare Michael Brown's situation: he just committed a felony theft/assault and then assaulted a police officer. He too died due to a brazen lack of respect for authority. Michael's buddy then perpetrated a lie, actually ran away and never saw much of the encounter. Let's arrest him and Michael's step father for crimes committed

Common denominator: I ain't listening to the PoPo. Pants below the knees with gold grills for dental work, looting/vandalism and calling women bitches/ho's is archaic behavior that indicates a propensity for disrespect, violence and de-evolution. This situation is going to get much worse before it gets better.

Blacks need a strong authority figure to stand up and tell it like it is. Jesse and Al are opportunistic race baiters just waiting for the next situation to capitalize. Bill Cosby is not cutting it these days. Professional athletes act like children and most Black Congressmen are jumping on the race bandwagon. Where are the Black leaders??

The grand jury was correct: no indictment. The young naïve girl holding the sign has no idea about the crime rate and statistics implicating young Black males with those crimes. Blacks simply need to behave and act better in society.

Kevin

I strongly disagree and it seem there are a lot of uninformed opinions posted on here as well. Both of these individuals would still be alive if they were law abiding citizens and not resisting arrest once caught. Have we lost track that both were committing a crime and were in the process of being arrested? Since when is it ok to fight police officers????

The NYPD did not have a choke hold on this obese individual and as soon as he stopped resisting the officers and was cuffed the officers got off the individual. Face the facts - he was a fat slob and his poor health killed him.

The black community leaders would do a service to provide a message of respect to the police officers in lieu of all this hate and disregard for authority.

Most Reverend

I don't know what 'fight' the lovely commentator is talking about. What I see is a man having a verbal altercation with police who appear in plain clothes, but the man clearly knows they are police and during this verbal altercation he resorts to resisting arrest. He had to be physically restrained to be arrested. No I would not indicted the cop who did the choke hold. He should however be disciplined by the NYPD for not using correct policy.

Paul Revere

Yes the officer should be held accountable and go to prison ! this is what your Government is preparing for Army Regulation 210–35 Installations Civilian Inmate Labor Program http://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/r210_35.pdf

This document represents the doctrine adopted by the Policy Committee of the CFR during. The following document, dated May 1979, was found on July 7, 1986, in an IBM copier that had been purchased at a surplus sale. Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars
http://www.stopthecrime.net/docs/SILENT%20WEAPONS%20for%20QUIET%20WARS.pdf

Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars Document - Full Read https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_38tsQ4p0I

You had better prepare for one world-ism as Revelations says well be coming or modern day term as per Ronald Regan to Bush and Obama THE ONE WORLD ORDER ! The documents above are YOUR Government's documents. Go to the links !

Brother Bill

mariposasholistic, sorry but the police DID have reason to touch him. he was stopped for breaking the law, selling cigarettes without paying the NYC tax. Mr. Gardner refused to obey the police. The misdemeanor now became a felony, resisting arrest. The black female sergeant in command was observing and did nothing to stop the other police officers.

Mr. Gardner's severe obesity and other medical problems led to a situation where Mr. Gardner died. The amount of fat on his body lead to reduced lung function, I am sure. When the police got him down and pinned him to the ground, the amount of fat most likely pushed up against the diaphragm, reducing lung capacity even more. A person in average condition would have been uncomfortable, but not endangered. The police had no ability to understand the medical problems.

Police members are NOT aggressive, unless they have to be to enforce the law. They are not inept and to say they have no remorse is ridiculous. It appears you have an axe to grind with police and that is coloring your views.

I also have lived/visited in other countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. I have seen numerous times the local police were more aggressive and abusive than American police. Try the German police. Very professional, but very firm in enforcing the law.

Mike Ravenscraft

Well I have seen the video but the man did not died until an hour later, do I agree with the cops no I do not but they have to be able to handle the job and as big as this man was maybe that was the only way after all he did have 31 other encounters with them. there are 8000 black on black killings each year and a cop might have 1 % why don't you ever hear about the 8000 is it ok for them to kill each other no it's not so let's stop with the race card.

Cynthia Schultheis

If a police officer breaks the law, he should be tried and sentenced in court. How does the grand jury find there's no responsibility on the officer's part? We need to take a better look at the make-up of the grand jury. Sad, that over 20 years after the Rodney King incident that fueled protest and riots in LA, we've learned NOTHING.

Sirrium Sirrium

If a mans hands are in the air he is surrendering. That would be following an order wouldn't it? Many of these deaths have occurred after hands were raised.

mariposasholistic

I believe that this situation was handled unprofessionally and abusive. The man was being instigated by the police and became defensive. There were at least 4 police officers at first surrounding him and then 3 jumped him after he claimed he did not want to be touched. There was no need to touch him as they were speaking to him. There appeared to be no remorse after discovering he was dead.

I realize being a police officer is difficult and officers face many situations on a daily basis that we would never have to, however, the focus of the police is to keep the peace and uphold laws. In this situation and many others they instigate situations and become violent without fear of persecution.

I have lived in numerous central american countries where even the police are not this aggressive to their citizens and focus on trying to be peaceful rather than forceful.

These acts simply reinforce that police members (not all) are aggressive, inept, and without remorse in regards to supposedly protecting the people they are hired to protect.

William

Very much agree. It is always best not to argue with the police, especially when you are engaged in some unlawful activity. More than likely the person would have gotten an "appearance ticket", a small fine and would have gone on with his life. But aside from that, what is bothering me is the type of one sided journalism displayed the above article that I would not have expected from this site. This incident has caused irreparable harm to many people involved, obviously including the deceased. I choose not to be a "street-corner" preacher, I wish to help people spiritually. To help them make sense out of seemingly senseless acts. To do otherwise, regardless of methods, does a dis-service to them as people and us as a society. Everyone in this incident deserves our compassion, understanding and prayers. Just my personal opinion.

Marsha Williams-Harris

No one bothered to count the officers killed in the line of duty. A chock hold is an approved method of take down and protection in self-defense. All that could be seen were the backs of the officers in the take down. He resisted, was much larger than the officers and obviously refused to cooperate. They didn't shot! They tried there best to do their job. Why can't suspects just stop and follow directions given by police officers? Their actions exemplify their communities...a pure lack of respect for authority! What communities doing now...protesting...is shameful, disrespectful and I simply a show of hatred for those who are paid little to protect and serve.

Barry

Respect the Police. If they say get down, GET DOWN ! They are civil servants there to protect all of us.Sure,there's a Rogue one here and there. But in general, there all we have to keep society from going back to the Wild West days.

Kristy

I agree with Ray Hayes, when an officer of the law orders you to do something you need to comply. At that point, your rights come into play and anything unjust can be argued. The situation is extremely sad and disturbing. Many are protesting the outcome and they have a right to-it would be more beneficial to those whom are protesting to take the time, education and compassion that each of them have and do something more productive to make changes that they feel need to be made. The judicial system is put in place for a reason and the ruling will not ever be satisfying to everyone. There is too much violence, anger and hate in this world. In my opinion, that is what needs to change.

DONOVAN

i find it very familiar that it's only the people with a criminal history are the ones causing all the problems with the Police Officers and are always getting arrested for committing crime.. No matter what age they are, they were involved in criminal activity when confronted by Officers. As so far as the younger criminals, parents MUST take most of the blame for raising kids that never have, never will respect the Police, our Laws or any ones Religion. It does not matter what the color of ones skin is, religion or name, a crime is a crime. If one resist arrest after committing a crime, the Police should be allowed to protect themselves by any means. We as a society can not let the criminals take over any area of our country. Let our Police enforce the laws and do a job no one else will do.

Renee Hendon

Many overweight ( big gut) people especially with asthma have what is known as positional asphixia.( They stop breathing due to position) If they fall on their front, their belly fat stops the diaphram moving and even more if someone presses down on them. It is a little known, but common condition that is often overlooked even by the person who has it or their doctors. Some people with neurological damage will stop breathing if flat on their back too. If a person cannot breath, they should be rolled onto their side immediately as basic first aid.

mustang

Eric die of a heart attack later in custody. He was put in a carardide hold after he refused to cooperate with the police. He then became an unknown threat. Are the police expected to walk away from a crime because the person is black. Police dont get up each morning and say "i think ill go kill a black person today". I hate to say it but perhaps we should look at who are the ones breaking the law. Our society needs more education so people are impowered and dont feel the need to break the law.

Dr. Asha Sharma

This is not a black and white issue. Is is a issue of defiance and a disrepect for law the people of color in America need to wake up and start becoming productive members of the American society and not wanting free hand outs and thinking that they are due something because they were slaves over a hundred years ago. Many races have been slaves and injustice done to them many have left their home land due to the injustice and came to America with little money clothes food and look at them to day!!! They do not steal, burn buildings, shot other members of their society. The people of color ( blacks) show go to their churches and the leaders of the churches show tell the society how they may become productive members of they society through hard honest work. Dr. Asha Sharma

Barbara

I believe state and church should be separate - Church teaches us to love all God's creation - That how I feel.

Ray Hayes

Whether you are right or wrong an officers order must be followed. An unjust arrest can be argued later in court.

Mr. Tacom

Garner, 43, had history of more than 30 arrests dating back to 1980, on charges including assault and grand larceny, Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1659026/eric-garner-criminal-past-emerges-30-arrests-in-34-years-including-assault. Also, Garner did not die at the scene, a common misconception among those discussing the case on social media. Instead he “suffered cardiac arrest in the ambulance taking him to the hospital and was pronounced dead about an hour later Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/1659026/eric-garner-criminal-past-emerges-30-arrests-in-34-years-including-assault

Donna Menendez

Any death by another is just wrong! As I watched this video I saw a person arguing with someone I guess the police. Then they wanted to put him in cuffs and he resisted. That is why it looked like they took him down. He was using force too. The person who or persons responsible for the man's death looks to me that they were doing what they were supposed to do. I think he would still be alive if he would have just not resisted them. I am part of the human race! Not black or white! We need to stop looking at color, it only makes us blind to the truth!

loraine gunderson

Yes I would indict the officers. There is too much police brutality and abuse. I DO NOT think it is a racial issue. I think white people do not stand up and stick together for a fight. People are being abused by law enforcement all over the usa. There is even a KKK in my town of which many officials most certainly must belong. You don't have a club without members. There is rampet abuse of human and civil rights going on all over our country Law enforcement is entrapping peaceful people along with criminals to feed their system with the money they to keep them all paid. We have more prisons in the USA than any other country in the world! Law enforcement are not being trained. They should have an education before entering any academy. They should be required to think and if they can not get an education at some higher level than high school, they should not be considered able to process rational thought. They should not get all of their training by ex cops. Something should come first. Many teachers at academy were retired from the force with anger issues. They do not need to be training new cops. The cop in the Ferguson shooting is now expressing wishes to be a teacher, which is my point. This aggression is being taught. Yes they should be prosecuted. The cops should not be above any laws.Lack of education, too much brutality, too many rights being violated....we have lost respect and should not be forced to respect them as they have become. My only disagreement to the protests is that this is not racial problem but a law enforcement problem. White people just don't fight back or stand together when oppressed.

Yvette

God has the final judgement nothing goes unpunished. God brought us out of slavery and you will bring judgment to garner and for the same killing. we have to put God first and all will be right with us again.

docproc

Obey the laws of the land. Do not resist arrest when they tried to handcuff. This article was wrote by an individual who is prejudiced. Not by the will of God . They should be ashamed of themselves

Gavin Simpson

I am sorry to say I cannot agree with everything stated in this article.

"We think officers should be members of the communities they work for"

This would make the local police very open to abuse, intimidation, corruption, put their lives at risk, etc. Law and order would therefore fall apart 100%. If an area has a high crime are, it is very obvious the criminals would "take care" of the police first.

I live in a country with an extremely high level of corruption amongst government officials and their supporters. Unfortunately our President himself stated in court papers, in his corruption investigation, that corruption is a "western" thing, and black people cannot be corrupt. Now tell me, where in the world were there such violent protests against these kind of truly racist remarks as made by a state president?

Violent crimes in South Africa are higher than anywhere else on the world, and a women get raped every 3 hours. Armed robbery is a daily event in almost every suburb in every city. We also have the highest murder rate than anywhere else in the world.

This is what happens when law and order are destroyed by corruption, and where are the violent protests, the burning, the pillaging, the destruction?

Do those protesting the United Stated justice system want to be like South Africa? Be afraid of what you wish for.

MLG

Have you ever lived in a inner city and seen the violence that the people of all races have to live with. I have, it is scary and it is even worse, if you are a police officer that has to watch your back every second, it can be horrific. I asked a person of color why don't you move? Because, that is what I did. She had no reason, why, other than that is were she had lived forever and her family lived there. They have lived that way so long they just can't change. Which, is what needs to happen so they can evolve. They (meaning people in these areas,) think it is okay to loot and hurt their selves and their neighbors, the lack of respect for life in these communities need to change. Their leadership needs to change and their faith, they need faith in something, they need to believe in their selves, they need to look up instead of down. Faith, God and Community. Less Government and giving them littlest bits, just keeps them down. I am sorry they will never see it and hate is the only thing they will know, Hate and Anger guides them, that live in those big poor cities.

Tayalor Fraser

I have something of a unique background which means what I say has no more credibility than anyone else. However, I have been a nurse in a prison. When you see primarily black faces in the prison, you realize there is a disparity in the number and make up of the arrests and prosecutions in this country. Does this mean that more black people commit serious crimes? Probably not. It just means that we have become a nation that is afraid of our own brothers and sisters. Sad, really. Recently, there was a truly sad incident where a 12-year old boy was murdered by the police. He had been brandishing a pistol and had it in his belt. when the police tried to apprehend him, they told him to lie face down on the ground. However, the first thing he did was reach for the pistol. The police reacted and tragedy struck. The pistol was a toy. Here's my point: The parents should have been more involved and not allowed their son to have a toy pistol. Secondly, they should have taught their child to obey the commands of the police. I feel for both the parents of the child and police officers. While it was classified as a righteous shooting, that shooting will remain with the police officer forever. Very simply, in this country, we need to wake up and start dialoguing with each other, before the fact, rather than after.

Pat

An officer who is supposed to uphold the law should never be above the law. And if the laws do not treat everyone equally in enforcement, judgement and sentencing then the laws must be changed to have a just society.

Sue Nicholai

The problem as I see it is a lack of respect. Too many blacks don't have respect for their own lives or others. Setting the stage for others to think well of the whole black community. Yes original when blacks where first slaves and freed,many of the owners had to believe they where less human than they where inorder to make it okay with there flesh to use them to get ahead finanacially. Until the man believes he is equal and lives his life with this understanding.There will be no peace for that person because they are too busy trying to make other think what they want them to. Trying to make someone respect you by making them fear you has never worked. Living your life by what you know to be true and let others think what they want is true respect. That does not mean we work for equal treatment by the law but seeking equal treatment than special treatment that many groups expect just because they were not treated equally in the past. As long as things are run by people their will be inequality all we can do is work to change it.