Thursday, December 28, 2017

Erica Garner

Eric Garner was killed on video by NYPD officers in 2014. His last words as he was being choked to death were, "I can't breath." A grand jury refused to indict the officer and the Obama department of justice declined to prosecute, although they had jurisdiction and could have prosecuted the killer cop in this or any other case.

His daughter and namesake Erica Garner became the champion of his case. In 2016 she was invited to a presidential town hall broadcast by ABC. It was held on the second anniversary of her father's murder but she was not allowed to ask a question. She felt used and she said so. Eventually she was able to speak to the president.

On Christmas Eve the 27-year old Ms. Garner suffered a heart attack and today she was declared brain dead with no chance of recovery. She was also the mother of an 8-year old and a 4-month old baby. According to her mother Ms. Garner was diagnosed with an enlarged heart during her recent pregnancy and suffered a previous heart attack after the birth.

This family's plight tells us so much about how black people are treated in this country. Police murder and poor health care. Now two motherless children.

But I return to Barack Obama. In eight years his justice department only prosecuted two cops. He only spoke to Ms. Garner because she protested at the 2016 town hall. His response to her can only be described thusly. "I'm sorry for your loss. Fuck you."

Erica Garner asked, "A black person has to yell to be heard?" The answer to that question is always yes.
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