Thousands of protestors met up in big cities across the country yesterday for a fourth day of making their displeasure with law enforcement in NYC and Ferguson, MO known. Nearly two weeks ago Darren Wilson walked away indictment-free in the Ferguson shooting death of Michael Brown. This past week's decision of a grand jury not to indict Daniel Pantaleo in the Staten Island chokehold death of Eric Garner took things to a completely different level. After the video of Garner's saying that he couldn't breathe moments before dying hit the internet most people expect some charges to stick to Pantaleo. When they didn't it prompted people that normally don't get involved to speak up and rally for change. The majority of the protests have been peaceful with the exception of one in California last night.
Two Berkeley police officers actually needed hospital treatment after a splinter group of protestors got violent, throwing rocks, bottles and other objects at police. Unfortunately, several businesses were reportedly broken into and looted on Saturday night as well. Sadly, this is exactly what Garner's family has rallied against. His mother, Gwen Carr asked protestors to keep marching but to do it peacefully. Thousands in New York City have managed to do exactly that and there's something very powerful about seeing such a huge, calm group of people publicly united for change.
The Department of Justice is reportedly taking a look at Garner's case and rumor has it that the prosecutor never actually even directed the grand jury to even consider any sort of lesser charges against Pantaleo. There is still a chance that a higher office will insist on some sort of accountability. In the meantime, do you think that the Berkeley protest will set the tone for others' in coming days, or will those standing in solidarity with Garner's family keep things calm? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
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