Officer Not Indicted in Killing of Eric Garner Causes More Backlash in US Justice System

              
Twice in one week America has experience two injustices in high profile cases in the death of two individuals, one being Eric Garner. Forty-three year old Eric Garner was killed this past July in Staten Island, New York after compression by the next and chest (the chokehold) by officer Daniel Pantaleo. Garner was taken down by officers after being caught selling loose cigarettes and supposedly resisting arrest. A video taped by a bystander caught the entire incident of Eric Garner being chocked to death.


Following the death of Garner, medical examiners ruled the cause of death a homicide. The officer was not arrested on charges immediately after the ruling of a homicide. Yesterday a New York grand jury ruled "no indictment" on officer Pantaleo, dropping all potential chargers against him. Garner's family plans on suing the city for $75million.

Once the verdict was publically announced, America immediately reacted in frustration and anger over the news. As much as one would think we the people should be used to these incidents, we're not! Slightly more than a week ago, America was shocked in the non-indictment decision in the case of Michael Brown Jr. in Ferguson. In the midst of high profile cases such as these, lives are still being taken in senseless, pointless murders. The miscommunication and mistrust between the justice system, the government and communities is simple, there's a misunderstanding with no point of understanding.

The rift between communities and law enforcement continues to grow because of situations such as Michael Brown, Sean Bell, Rodney King and Eric Garner. I'm sure as you read this you can recall someone who has been profiled by officers for just being present someone, or harassed by officers just because they have the power too. Maybe you know someone that has been physically harmed or killed by an officer. In areas that are oppressed,  crime tensions are high, impoverished, low opportunities, protection is needed. Not all communities such as the example have a mistrust for law enforcement. When excessive force is used by the law in inhumane and unjust ways, socioeconomic status is no longer a factor.

Americans are just over it. It's gone past too far, people are tired and are beginning to rebel as they should. The system designed to serve and protect the American people is killing civilians in the street in broad day light with witnesses on video and can walk free with financial benefits. When did that ever become okay? The fight never ended in America, it is still about race, and no people are not going to keep quite about their feelings. We are entering a new civil war of the comfortable, privileged and powered versus the uncomfortable (privileged, unprivileged, unjust, frustrated, change agents).

See photos from protesters in New York following Eric Garner's decision (Twitter):