Civil Rights Activist Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner (see here) has died after suffering brain damage following a heart attack. She was 27 years old.
Announcing her death on Saturday morning, Dec 30, 2017, her official Twitter account, managed by her family read: "When you report this you remember she was human: mother, daughter, sister, aunt. Her heart was bigger than the world. It really really was. She cared when most people wouldn't have. She was good. She only pursued right, no matter what. No one gave her justice." and added : "She was a fighter, she was a warrior and she lost the battle. She never recovered from when her father died. She is in a better place." and "Erica the world loves you. I love you. I am glad you came into our lives. May you find the peace in the next life that you deserved while you were here. I will always love you my sister. love you".
Erica Garner became a public activist when, in July 2014, her father, Eric Garner, died after being put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer (see AfroAmerica Network: New York - USA Protests in Images: Waiting For Justice for Eric Garner). Eric Garner, who also had asthma, was seen on video saying, "I can't breathe", 11 times before he died.
His apparent last words -- "I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" -- became a rallying cry for protesters, including the "Black Lives Matter" movement, against the abuse of power and mistreatment of Blancks and people of color by law enforcement.
His death was ruled a homicide, but a grand jury decided not to indict the responsible officer on criminal charges. The city of New York settled with Eric Garner's estate for $5.9 million in July 2015.
Many political figures and activists commented on Erica Garner's passing:
New York Mayor, Bill de Blazio, said in a tweet: "Erica Garner's death is a horrible tragedy. I am praying for her family, who have already been through so much. This city will miss her unshakable sense of justice and passion for humanity"
US Senator and 2016 US President candidate Bernie Sanders, who was supported by Erica Garner, commented on her death in a tweet: "I had the honor of getting to know Erica and I was inspired by the commitment she made working towards a more just world for her children and future generations. She was a fighter for justice and will not be forgotten."
Civil Rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, during a meeting with the National Action Network, on Saturday morning, said:
"Many will say that Erica died of a heart attack, but that's only partially true because her heart was already broken when she couldn't get justice for her father... Whatever the asthma and the others attacked was a piece of the heart left. Her heart was attacked by a system that would choke her dad and not hold accountable those that did it... If anything she would want us to do in memory of her is keep fighting for justice and keep fighting for families."
Erica Garner had been in a coma since Dec. 23, when she had an asthma attack that triggered a heart attack, according to several news outlets.
During Bernie Sanders campaign, she often said:
"I'm never giving up," she said. "I'm never going to forget. And I don't want the world to forget what happened to my dad."
May you RIP, sister Erica Garner.
