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Eric Garner's Family Reacts To NYPD Decision About Police Officer Pantaleo

Source: Kena Betancur / Getty

Earlier this afternoon, NYPD Commissioner James O’Neil announced that Daniel Pantaleo, the officer who put Eric Garner in a lethal chokehold more than FIVE years ago, has finally been terminated.

“The unintended consequence of Mr. Garner’s death must have a consequence of its own,” Mr. O’Neill announced. “Therefore I agree with the deputy commissioner of trial’s legal findings and recommendations. It is clear that Daniel Pantaleo can no longer effectively serve as a New York City police officer.”

“During the struggle, Officer Pantaleo had the opportunity to readjust his grip from a prohibited chokehold to a less lethal alternative, but did not make use of that opportunity,” he continued during the press conference. “Instead, even once Mr. Garner was moved to his side on the ground with his left arm behind his back and his right hand still open and extended, Officer Pantaleo kept his hands clasped and maintained the chokehold. Mr Garneer’s obvious distress is confirmed when he coughs and grimaces.”

In the same breath, however, O’Neil still blamed Garner and showed sympathy to Pantaleo.

As we all know, Eric Garner’s death gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement, and as Rev. Al Shaprton pointed out today although we are somewhat relieved we are not celebratory. See the Rev and Eric Garner’s family react to the news in the video clip below.

Plus, reactions from Black Twitter on the flip.

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