As new protests begin to erupt all over the nation, there is one central purpose for it all: justice. Adding onto the recent protests in Ferguson, many other protests have begun to appear in multiple other major cities such as Washington D.C, Philadelphia, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, and Manhattan. On July 17^th, Eric Garner was killed by a police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, while being arrested for illegally selling loose cigarettes. Garner was placed into a department-banned chokehold and died at the scene. Much alike the African American civil rights case of Michael Brown, the case was taken to the Grand Jury and Pantaleo was not indicted for the death of Garner, also African American, which has sparked a wave of disappointment and uproar throughout the nation. Racial discrimination has played a tremendous factor in how the public sees this decision as another injustice to the victims and their families.

“I’m out here because the system has failed us too many times. It makes me feel like there’s no justice,” Courtney Wicker, a New York protester, told CNN officials. Throughout the streets, multiple signs read that this case serves as another example to Americans being treated less equally as a result of their race.

Thousands of protesters, all from multiple different races, marched together in name of Eric Garner, chanting “We can’t breathe,” which was what Garner was clearly exclaiming in a viral video taken by a bystander of the take down. In a medical report, Garners death was ruled as a homicide due to the pressure being exerted on his neck and chest. Acute and bronchial asthma, obesity, and hyper extensive cardiovascular disease also contributed to his death. Many believed that the video would have been enough to indict Pantaleo, but were once again let down when they heard the result of no indictment.

“The criminalization of black youth needs in America needs to end. It’s time that we say we’re fed up and this needs to change,” said a young Caucasian marcher on the streets. This just goes to show that all races have come together for this incident, protesting against the injustice of the victims.

The outrage of protesters has become heavy, especially after the Grand Jury decision in Ferguson to no indict Officer Darren Wilson for the fatal shooting of 18 year-old Michael Brown. As younger children begin to swarm the streets, quotes and statements on signs gained prominent attention on social media sites. In Washington, a mother and her three children were marching down the streets, holding up a sign that said “I could be next.” Protesters have begun to issue demands they believe should be taken into effect, including firing and punishing all of the officers involved with the Garner killing.  Garners daughter has also spoken out about her father’s killing and pushes to get her opinion heard.

“Justice to me is basically doing what’s right, I wouldn’t be happy with (Pantaleo) just losing his job or being suspended or still getting paid. I wouldn’t want that.  I want him to face time in jail,” Eria Garner, Garners daughter, told CNN reporters.

As protesters continue to march, Garners family appreciates the support of those who continue to push for justice for Eric. To many civilians in New York and other cities, race has become a prime topic that has been used against many minority groups. Not only have these cases added support to these theories, they serve as examples to show how justice has been avoided in many recent cases. Many were not surprised by the non-indictment of Pantaleo, just disappointed in how the justice system has spiraled out of control. Many have sat on the streets, watching thousands of people chant and hold signs in support for victims and their families.

“Both these two guys are black and they were killed for small crimes, Police use tough measures against unarmed black people. It looks like white policemen are trained to act like that,” Johannes Morken reported to CNN after witnessing protesters in Manhattan.

Keeping non-violence is a hope made by the Garner family, Garner’s mother urges protesters to continue to march, but to do so in a peaceful manner. As Garner’s family see protesters out of their windows, going out for Eric, joy overwhelms them just in the fact that there are people who strive to see this case receives justice for what has happened. Friends and family have hopes of the world changing because too many lives have been lost.

“I think there is going to be a change coming. Too many young men have died without no accountability.”

FSA  Connection Questions

1. What do you believe is the main idea of this article?
2. Based on your answer from Number 1, chose two sentences that support your idea.
3. According to the article, which major cities have begun to participate in many protests?
4. Define justice in your own words.
5. Based on information provided in the article, predict what you believe the next step will be in this case.