Advocates and Social Media Demand Answers in Eric Garner NYPD Chokehold Death

A number of rallies were held across New York City on Saturday in response to the alleged choking death of Eric Garner by New York City police. The rallies were led by Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of the 43-year-old man, with social media supporters chiming in around the globe. 

According to Buzzfeed.com, "Garner was a married father of six children and grandfather to two children. His death while being put into police custody has led to a flash of anger on social media."

"From what I saw from the video, they disregarded his humanity," Sharpton said at the rally held on Saturday, "There is no justification at all on this chokehold," he said to media.

Responses flooded into Twitter, leading to the creation of #JusticeForEricGarner.

"It is HISTORICALLY dangerous to be Black in America. #JusticeforEricGarner," said Twitter user Evers Dickerson. 

"The death of Eric Garner is all too familiar for black and brown people of New York!," added another Twitter user, @ebrew79.

Rev. Al Sharpton tweeted, "Marching w/ family of Eric Garner & NAN Staten Island. Eric died after being being placed in a chokehold by police." 

Mayor Bill de Blasio responded to the incident with a statement about the death:

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Garner, who died yesterday afternoon while being placed in police custody," the statement read. "We have a responsibility to keep every New Yorker safe, and that includes when individuals are in custody of the NYPD. That is a responsibility that Police Commissioner Bratton and I take very seriously. We are harnessing all resources available to the City to ensure a full and thorough investigation of the circumstances of this tragic incident."

The funeral for Eric Garner will be held on Wed. July 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Brooklyn.