The phrase "I can't breathe" is everywhere as 2014 winds down. The line was Eric Garner's last words, which he uttered as a Staten Island cop held him in a chokehold. Now protestors nationwide chant it and athletes warm-up in T-shirts bearing the quote.
The line resonated with Yale Law Library associate director Fred Shapiro, who made a last-minute revision to his 2014 list of notable quotes, The Washington Post reports.
After the Staten Island grand jury announced Dec. 3 it will not indict the officer involved, Shapiro expected Garner's words would have a lasting impact. So far, Google Trends and Twitter back up his logic.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Shapiro also included the common refrain from Ferguson protests — "Hands up! Don't Shoot!" — on his list.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
