'Fire Pantaleo': Debate Protestors Challenged Bill de Blasio Over Eric Garner's Death

The second Democratic primary debates in Detroit, Michigan, opened on July 31 with considerable drama: protestors interrupted the initial statements of two contenders to call for the firing of Daniel Pantaleo, the New York City policeman who did not face federal charges connected to the death of Eric Garner.


Pantaleo was put on administrative leave right after Garner's death in July 2014, and has remained in that position in the five years since. In August 2104, the New York City medical examiner's office had ruled Garner's death a homicide; Garner died after a chokehold deployed by Pantaleo triggered a fatal asthma attack. His last words were "I can't breathe," repeated 11 times; that statement became a rallying cry for Black Lives Matter activists protesting police brutality against Black people.


So, throughout the debate's first minutes, protestors made themselves heard: Once as soon as New York City mayor Bill de Blasio issued his starting statement, and again, more clearly once New Jersey Senator Cory Booker discussed. The chant became so loud throughout Booker's statements against President Donald Trump's recent racist attack on Representative Elijah Cummings and his city of Baltimore, Maryland. Booker paused his delivery for a couple of seconds before completing his thoughts.


About thirty minutes soon following the interruptions, de Blasio's team tweeted: "To the protestors in the audience today: I heard you. I saw you. I thank you. This is what democracy looks like and no one mentioned it was pretty." It's crucial to note that the message did not mention the mayor would make any new decisions about Pantaleo.


Multiple people — including New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, public contributor Jumaane Williams, and Garner's family member — have called for Pantaleo's dismissal.


"Do something, or don’t say Eric Garner’s name ever again," Williams told theNew York Times about de Blasio. “You cannot be president, you cannot be the Democratic nominee, if Daniel Pantaleo is still on the force.


Ellisha Flagg-Garner, Eric's sister, agreed. "Do your job. Stop attempting to be a president whenever you can’t even be a mayor," she instructed them Times, also addressing the mayor.


As for Booker, it seems he didn't mind the interruption. If he was still standing on the stage, his team tweeted: "To the folks who were standing up to Mayor de Blasio a number of minutes ago – good for you. That's how change is made." As of publication, de Blasio's social media has although to address the incident.