On this day in 2014, Eric Garner, a father of six and lifelong resident of Staten Island. Garner was placed in an illegal chokehold by the New York Police Department. This happened during an arrest for allegedly selling loose cigarettes.

Caught on a cell phone video. Eric’s final words, “I can’t breathe,” were uttered 11 times as he struggled to breathe while being restrained. Those words, haunting and powerful, reverberated around the world. A firestorm of outrage, protest, and activism that would become a cornerstone of the Black Lives Matter movement.

A Tragedy Captured and Shared

The footage of Garner’s death—witnessed in real-time by millions—brought renewed attention to issues of police brutality. Despite the clarity of the video, no officers were immediately charged. It wasn’t until five years later that Officer Daniel Pantaleo was fired from the NYPD. No criminal charges were brought against him.

A Legacy That Lives On

In the years since Eric Garner’s death, his name has remained a symbol of injustice. His story is a rallying point for reform. His daughter, Erica Garner, became a passionate activist, fighting for police accountability until her untimely death in 2017.

Eric’s name continues to be invoked alongside others, such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tamir Rice. Reminding the world of lives lost, families shattered, and communities demanding justice.

Today, on the anniversary of his death. We remember Eric Garner not just as a victim, but as a man who was known as a gentle giant. Garner was loved, and life shouldn’t end on a New York sidewalk.

Let us honor him by continuing to speak out. Let’s hold systems accountable and ensure that the words “I can’t breathe” are never uttered in vain again.