On July 17, 2014, Eric Garner, a 43-year-old African American man, died in Staten Island, New York City after being placed in a chokehold by a white police officer. The incident sparked nationwide protests and became a symbol of police brutality against black people. Now, seven years later, another fatal chokehold incident has occurred in New York City, and the mayor is denouncing it.
Jordan Neely, a 31-year-old black man, died on June 3, 2021, after being placed in a chokehold by a white police officer during an arrest for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes. The incident took place in Queens, and the officer involved has been suspended without pay pending an investigation.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has condemned the incident, stating that Neely’s death was unwarranted and that the use of chokeholds by police officers is prohibited by law. “We will not tolerate any use of excessive force by our police officers,” de Blasio said in a statement. “We will ensure that justice is served for Jordan Neely and his family.”
The use of chokeholds by police officers has been a controversial issue for many years. In 1993, the New York City Police Department banned the use of chokeholds after the death of Anthony Baez, a 29-year-old Latino man who died after being placed in a chokehold by a white police officer during an arrest for throwing a football. However, despite the ban, chokeholds have continued to be used by some police officers.
In response to the Eric Garner incident in 2014, New York City passed the Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act, which made it a crime for police officers to use chokeholds or other forms of restraint that restrict airflow. The law also requires police officers to intervene if they witness another officer using a chokehold or similar restraint.
Despite these measures, fatal chokehold incidents continue to occur. In addition to the deaths of Eric Garner and Jordan Neely, there have been several other high-profile cases in recent years, including the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.
The issue of police brutality and excessive force has been a major topic of discussion in the United States in recent years, particularly in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement. Many activists and advocates have called for systemic changes to policing, including increased accountability for police officers who use excessive force.
In response to these calls, some cities and states have implemented reforms, such as requiring police officers to wear body cameras, increasing training on de-escalation techniques, and creating civilian review boards to oversee police conduct. However, many activists argue that these measures are not enough and that more fundamental changes are needed.
The death of Jordan Neely is a tragic reminder of the ongoing problem of police brutality and excessive force in the United States. While it is important to hold individual police officers accountable for their actions, it is also crucial to address the systemic issues that contribute to these incidents. Only by working together can we create a more just and equitable society for all.
