How To Get Away With Murder

On Wednesday December 3, the Staten Island grand jury decided not to indict Daniel Pantaleo, New York City police officer that was seen in the viral video, chocking unarmed 43-year-old african american Eric Garner to his death. This non-indictment comes nine days after Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson was also not indicted for the death of 17-year-old Michael Brown. Sparking unrest and protest across America.

“If don’t feel safe that if tomorrow I get murdered in cold blood by a police officer and its recorded, that officer will not be brought to my justice. just because of my skin color, I probably wouldn’t even get a trail.” - Alex King

Six New York City police officers surrounded the 6’3, 350 pound Eric Garner in front of a Tompkinsville beauty supply store to take him down and arrest him for allegedly selling loose cigarettes. In the video the surveillance video in which surfaced the internet, an unidentified witness reports Gardner being antagonized for breaking up a fight. In the footage, Gardner says “I did not sell nothing. I’m minding my business officer. Please just leave me alone.”

New York City law enforcers implemented their take down of Gardner with a choke hold that was reportedly deemed illegal to use. In the surveillance video that surfaced showing the event in which Gardner was taken down and choked to death, Gardner repeatedly battled to say to officers, “I can’t breath.” His cries however were ignored.

Evidence of Garner selling loose cigarettes are still yet to be presented.

New York City has been making their voices heard and their frustration apparent with protest and demonstration across the city. Highways have been backed up with protesters replacing vehicles, “die-in” demonstrations at stores and in the intersection of streets. “We need to do more than just protest. As African Americans we hold the power in our hands; the money! If we boycott and strike, we can get anything we want. That’s when we will see change.” (Janea Webster, 21, New York City)

With the new body camera’s installed into the uniforms of policeman to keep visual evidence of what takes place during situations, people question whether visual evidence even matters. “We’re continuously to be told that it’s not a racial thing. But even the facts are there and the visual evidence is all over the place, the wrong decision is still made” says Raymond Hall.

In a speech given by President Barack Obama to calm citizens in lieu of the recent events concerning police brutality, he urges folks to protest peacefully. “As long as their peaceful, I think they’re necessary” when referring to protesting. “When they become violent, they become counterproductive.”

Obama took notice and mentioned the series of events that took place are unacceptable and rooted deeply in the system of America. Along with peaceful protest, In an interview conducted with BET on December 7th, Obama encourages citizens to do two things. The first is “The understanding that we have made progress;” the second thing is “we have to be persistent, because typically progress is in steps.” The president believes with the understanding that progress has been made, it shines light on the possibility for more progress to occur and a persistent mindset will keep folks fighting long enough to solidify change.

Nadine Cadet, mother of two young men from New York only has questions in this situation. “How much longer do we have to fight? How much longer do we have to wait to be treated fair? How many times are we going to be told its not about race? she asked.”

Questions still remain unanswered.