video: RI Ferguson Protesters React to NY Cop Cleared After Choke Killing
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Rhode Island community organizers are reacting strongly to a New York grand jury deciding against an indictment in the death of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man, who died after white police officer Daniel Pantaleo put him in a chokehold, according to two law enforcement officials and reported by CNN.
VIDEO: See YouTube Footage of Incident BELOW
"That's incredible -- I'm really saddened by this," said Jim Vincent of the NAACP Providence Branch of the news on Wednesday. "Didn't the coroner basically say it was murder? Up until this point, you knew that at least in this case there would be an indictment."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I'm shocked. They have the film, it was obvious. What more do you need? Can you not believe your eyes. I can't fathom that," Vincent continued. "There might be things I'm missing but this looked like murder. And to choke a guy because he was selling cigarettes on the street? I think this adds fuel to the fire -- the community already doesn't believe in the system."
Vincent was vocal during reactions to the Ferguson decision in Rhode Island, condoning the peaceful rallies but speaking out against protestors who were arrested when they took to the highway.
Community Leaders Respond
Rebecca Nieves McGoldrick, who was one of the organizers of the Burnside Park to State House rally on Monday, said she expected more reactions
"I know major actions are planned to happen in NYC, and likely elsewhere as it is increasingly more evident to people who haven't been aware of the wide-spread police killings of unarmed Black people," said McGoldrick.
James Monteiro with the Billy Taylor House -- who recently won a Providence NAACP Award for community leadership -- said he couldn't comprehend the decision.
"I cannot comprehend things like this because I just don't understand how we can continue to consciously allow this type of behavior," said Monteiro. "What is it that we are trying to defend...is it the officers? Or is it that we do not want to accept that the system is not working? Or is it that it is working for some and thats really all that matters because the some are the ones who vote, and a majority of black and brown people do not, so that's all that really matters."
"I just really am feeling emotionally deflated right now," said Monteiro.
"It's a disappointment to say the least. It shows how there is no accountability for officers of the law regardless of what state the incident occurs. This just further fuels the disgust, fear, and anger that the community feels. I hope that this will move people to become more involved in community action and to make their voices heard," said community organizer Amy Espinal. "I believe that this coupled with the violence that occurred last night on the Southside, will drive the community to further protest. The marginalize voice of people color, women, students, all those that recognize the brutality exerted by police nationwide and the institutional racism will now be at the forefront."
Related Slideshow: Police Militarization - Department by Department Breakdown
Below are those fifteen local police departments that have obtained military supplies, listed from least to most items acquired. The list does not include acquisition records for certain tactical weapons and supplies for which the Pentagon has refused to release department-specific data. (In those instances only county-level data has been released. That data is not included below.) Records are for recent acquisitions going back to 2009 and were obtained from the Defense Logistics Agency.
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