So lets walk through this once again. Eric Gardner is selling untaxed cigarettes, which is illegal. In fact, Ill be completely frank and say that misdemeanor cases existed against his name for similar actions before his death. Cops believe they have grounds to arrest him, after they witness Eric breaking up fight (unrelated to cigarettes), but Eric in respect yet frustration tells the cops to back away and denies any wrongdoing. There is no violence, nor does Eric Gardner have a previous history of public violence and he avoids handcuffing. Multiple cops then proceed to take him to the ground with an illegal choke-hold that has been illegal since 1993 in the state of NY. They pin his head to the floor and render him immobile. In desperation, he exclaims multiple times, I cant breathe. I cant breathe. He doesnt spend effort to fight for freedom, but rather to ask for decency. The four, then five, then six officers present clearly have control of Eric, yet they continue to forcibly pin him on the concrete and crush his oxygen supply. In fact, the police officer in the green shirt changes to a more secure grip on pinning Erics head to the ground as he begs for mercy. I dont deny that Eric may have been carrying contraband at the time, nor do I deny that his acute asthma, weight, and cardiovascular issues contributed to his death. What I do deny and codemn is the excessive use of violence against a man who had just went out of his way to stop acts of violence in his community. What I do condemn is the complete lack of empathy in such a large group of officers; not one makes a plea to other officers to stray away from the illegal chokehold. What I do condemn, is the no indictment. Please. Lets stop holding the bar so low for people that we pay to protect us all. Not only does the image and mission for those that serve with the highest forms of duty and morality become polluted, but others are encouraged to participate in the same reckless behavior. Im not talking to Mayor de Blasio, Im talking to the many of you that I call friends that will be the next generation of lawmakers, doctors, bankers, entrepreneurs, consultants, executives, artists, writers, teachers, mothers, fathers and mentors in this nation.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 00:45:59 +0000
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