Several protesters were blocking rush-hour traffic on the FDR Drive Monday morning, as the disciplinary trial gets underway for the NYPD officer accused in connection with the death of Eric Garner.
Traffic cameras showed a small number of demonstrators blocking FDR Drive at 25th Street.
The protest began around 9 a.m. Monday. There were no immediate reports of arrests.
A long-delayed disciplinary trial is set to begin Monday for NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo, accused of using a banned chokehold in Garner’s 2014 death.
Garner was the unarmed black man whose pleas of “I can’t breathe” became a rallying cry against police brutality.
Meanwhile, a defense lawyer for Officer Pantaleo said on Monday that his client is being made a scapegoat in a politically charged atmosphere.
Video evidence shows Pantaleo used an approved technique for restraining Garner, attorney Stuart London said at the officer’s disciplinary hearing, adding that the officer feared for his life when he felt Garner was trying to push him toward a plate glass window.
However, London said, it’s a misconception that the phrase was uttered when the officer’s hands were around Garner’s neck. It happened, he said, when officers were trying to handcuff Garner.
“We know he wasn’t choked out because he is speaking,” London said.
#EricGarner Black life matters protesters stoping traffic on the FDR highway, standing up against what they are calling police injustice. pic.twitter.com/1HiMhzmDNc
— Marvin Hoffman (@theeye74) May 13, 2019
Emergency medical technicians casually strolled up to the scene without oxygen or other measures that could have helped Garner, who was so medically fragile that even a bear hug might have led to the same consequences, the lawyer said.
“The only one that did their job that day, I will submit, is Officer Pantaleo,” London said.
Pantaleo could face penalties ranging from the loss of vacation days to firing if he is found to have violated department rules. He denies wrongdoing.
A ruling last week requires that the police watchdog agency bringing the case prove not only that Pantaleo violated department rules, but also that his actions fit the criteria for criminal charges. Pantaleo does not face criminal charges.
He has been on desk duty since Garner’s death.
Just saw three activists singlehandley blocking the FDR with their bodies with a sign about #EricGarner. pic.twitter.com/7GUCzT8q7s
— Maureen Johnson (@maureenjohnson) May 13, 2019
Protestors in support of #EricGarner blocking traffic on FDR ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼 pic.twitter.com/aIcBo6ZZS7
— The New Yorker Raised in Maryland (@bigapplebaby_) May 13, 2019
#Breaking protesters stop traffic on FDR Drive south at 25th street. Demonstrating against officer Daniel Pantaleo. Expect major backups @PIX11News #ericgarnercase pic.twitter.com/7KdrS1EoXn
— Anthony DiLorenzo (@ADiLorenzoTV) May 13, 2019
More views of the protest. @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/oHFrUM4bf5
— Anthony DiLorenzo (@ADiLorenzoTV) May 13, 2019
Traffic at near standstill. #garnerprotest @PIX11News pic.twitter.com/s2pLxqJL9r
— Anthony DiLorenzo (@ADiLorenzoTV) May 13, 2019
(AP / YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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7 Responses
Parasitic draft-dodging ingrates blocking ambulances and preventing people from getting to work.
Oh, they’re not Etz-niks. Sorry, go right ahead with your protests. This doesn’t embarrass us “mainstream” (non-extreme) Orthodox Jews….
The delays caused by this demonstration, pale into insignificance compared to the subway delays I had to endure this morning.
all that work and then a sign that can’t stop getting blown around in the wind…
Those participating in public acts of defiance (not protest) that create havoc for the public should be banned from any form of public assistance forever. That’s right. No food stamps, no rental assistance, etc., and their families become victim to this, too. Yes, if they are college students, not a dime of subsidy or aid. That includes rental subsidies like section 8, Medicaid, etc. Anyone doing this to the public should ever be eligible to receive a dime of public assistance. Harsh? So is menacing the public. These fools can chant, if they want. But blocking traffic and interfering with everyone’s lives is intolerable, and cannot be rewarded. I have no care what the cause is, righteous or not.
Everything “The little I know” writes should also apply to the Etz terrorists in Eretz Yisroel, those parasitic draft-dodging ingrates blocking ambulances and preventing people from getting to work. Just add in no Kollel subsidy as well.
The charges won’t stick. For an explanation why not, be on the lookout for a forthcoming book with the title From Arrachion of Phigalia to Eric Garner of Staten Island: Or, Was There Really a Killing on Bay Street?
Avreimi: your well-considered suggestion would never survive an appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court, because it’s discriminatory. Because it would mean that every Israeli convicted of a crime will also have to loose his benefits (Bitu’ach Le’umi, etc.). And the SC would NEVER allow that. Think of all the Israeli Arabs (1.8 million of them) if they commit a crime — no more Bitu’ach Le’umi for their 12 children…. Maybe life imprisonment without parole, or even a firing squad would be acceptable to you instead?