New York senators call for Justice Department to investigate Garner's death
New York Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the death of Eric Garner. Earlier Wednesday, a Staten Island grand jury announced it will not indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo, who held Garner in a chokehold while trying to arrest him for selling loose cigarettes without a license.
Gillibrand posted a statement to her website Wednesday:
While this decision is shocking, I want to echo the statement of a wide range of leaders inside and outside of government who are urging that protests remain peaceful in the aftermath of this decision. The death of Eric Garner is a tragedy that demands accountability. Nobody unarmed should die on a New York City street corner for suspected low-level offenses. I’m shocked by this grand jury decision, and will be calling on the Department of Justice to investigate. [Kirsten Gillibrand]
Chuck Schumer echoed Gillibrand's sentiment in a tweet.
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.
The grand jury verdict comes less than two weeks after it was announced officer Darren Wilson will not face charges in the killing of another black man, Michael Brown.
