NEW YORK CITY — On Wednesday, the tenth anniversary of Eric Garner's death is commemorated, marking a decade since his final, desperate words, "I can't breathe," became a potent symbol for racial justice and police reform. Garner, a Black man, succumbed to a fatal encounter with New York City police officers on July 17, 2014. The incident, captured on bystander video, profoundly altered the national conversation about police brutality and racial inequality.

The graphic footage revealed Garner gasping for breath while Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who is white, applied a chokehold to him. Garner's repeated pleas for air as he was restrained under the officer's grip became emblematic of deep-seated issues within law enforcement practices. This disturbing episode served as a catalyst for widespread protests and activism, spearheaded by the Black Lives Matter movement, which spread from New York City to communities across the United States.

The movement ignited by Garner’s death was further fueled by the shooting of Michael Brown, an 18-year-old Black man, by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014. The timing of this tragic event, occurring just weeks after Garner's death, intensified calls for justice and highlighted the persistent patterns of racial violence and police misconduct. This pattern continued to gain attention, culminating in another high-profile case six years later.

On May 25, 2020, the death of George Floyd under comparable circumstances — with Floyd’s pleas echoing Garner's as Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck — reignited global outrage. Floyd’s death triggered a new wave of mass protests, underscoring the enduring and pervasive nature of issues related to police violence and racial injustice.

As the anniversary of Eric Garner’s death approached, his mother, Gwen Carr, organized a commemorative march on Staten Island, the borough where the fatal encounter occurred. Carr, a resolute advocate for justice, has tirelessly worked to keep her son’s memory and cause alive, continuing her fight for accountability despite the emotional and legal challenges involved.

The confrontation that led to Garner’s death involved Pantaleo and other officers who suspected him of selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. The video evidence captured Pantaleo applying a chokehold, a technique banned by the New York Police Department since the 1990s. Garner’s repeated cries of "I can't breathe" were heard as he lost consciousness and was later declared dead at a hospital.

New York City authorities ruled Garner’s death a homicide and acknowledged that Pantaleo had used a prohibited chokehold. However, neither state nor federal prosecutors pursued criminal charges against Pantaleo or the other officers involved. In 2019, Richard Donoghue, then the U.S. Attorney for Brooklyn, explained that while the chokehold was deemed excessive, proving Pantaleo’s willful violation of the law posed a significant legal hurdle.

Pantaleo was terminated from the NYPD in 2019 following a disciplinary proceeding. Garner's family, having settled a lawsuit with the city for $5.9 million, continued to seek justice through a judicial inquiry into the circumstances of Garner's death. Conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inquiry aimed to establish a detailed record of the case rather than determining criminal guilt or innocence.

Alvin Bragg, who represented Garner’s family during the judicial inquiry and was campaigning for the position of Manhattan District Attorney at the time, has since gained prominence for his prosecution of former President Donald Trump. Bragg commended Carr and Garner’s family for their perseverance and commitment to justice. “While I am still deeply pained by the loss of Eric Garner, I am in awe of his family’s strength and moved by their commitment to use his legacy as a force for change,” Bragg said. “Their courage continues to inspire me as district attorney, and I pledge to always honor Mr. Garner’s memory by working towards a safer, fairer, and more equal city.”

Mayor Eric Adams, then Brooklyn Borough President and a former police officer, reflected on the impact of Garner’s death during a news conference on Tuesday. Adams conveyed a personal connection to the tragedy, stating, “I remember Eric Garner’s death like it was yesterday,” and expressed a commitment to preventing future incidents of similar nature.

The anniversary of Eric Garner's death stands as a solemn reminder of the ongoing struggles for justice and equality. It highlights the urgent need for continued reform and vigilance in addressing systemic issues within law enforcement to ensure the respect and protection of the rights and dignity of all individuals.