Eric Garner Case | Golden Age

The Eric Garner case refers to the fatal encounter between Eric Garner, a 43-year-old African American man, and New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers on July 17, 2014. Garner was stopped by police on Staten Island for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes, and a physical altercation ensued, resulting in Officer Daniel Pantaleo applying a chokehold that led to Garner's death. The incident was captured on video by a bystander, Ramsey Orta, and sparked widespread outrage and protests across the United States, with many calling for police reform and an end to racial profiling. The case drew parallels to other high-profile police brutality cases, such as Michael Brown and Ferguson, and contributed to the growth of the Black Lives Matter movement. According to a report by the New York City Medical Examiner's Office, Garner's death was ruled a homicide, with the cause of death being 'compression of the neck (chokehold)' and 'the compression of the chest and prone positioning during physical restraint by police.' The incident has had a lasting impact on police-community relations and has led to increased calls for accountability and reform within law enforcement. As of 2020, the case continues to be a topic of discussion, with many advocating for policy changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.