On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner was allegedly selling loose cigarettes from untaxed packs outside a store in New York City. Police had apparently told him not to do this several times, and after talking with Garner, attempted to arrest him. Garner told the officers he was not selling loose cigarettes and that he was tired of police hassling him.
Garner resisted arrest by putting his hands up, and one officer, Daniel Pantaleo, reached his arm around Garner’s neck to bring him to the ground. Pantaleo then pushed the side of Garner’s face into the ground as four other officers restrained him. Throughout the arrest, Garner, who is asthmatic, said “I can’t breathe.” He lost consciousness and police turned him on his side.
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