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.
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Shapiro also included the common refrain from Ferguson protests — "Hands up! Don't Shoot!" — on his list.
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