Erica Garner, 27, passed away on December 30th following a medically induced coma. Garner, mother and activist, had become a prominent figure in the Black Lives Matter Movement after her father, Eric Garner, was killed by New York Police Officers, Daniel Pantaleo and Justin Damico.
Eric Garner’s 2014 death incited numerous protests after a witness uploaded footage of Pantaleo and Damico choking Garner’s during his arrest. Despite the unjustified use of force and disregard for Garner’s pleas for help, the officers were not indicted.
Following Eric Garner’s death, Erica Garner wholeheartedly devoted herself to fighting police brutality. Writer and fellow Black Lives Matter activist, Shaun King, expressed his condolences via Twitter. King wrote:
“I’m hurt for Erica because I know that she wanted to live. She wanted to raise her babies. She wanted to experience more of the world. She wanted to travel & speak more about injustice in America. And she deeply wanted justice for her father.”
Erica Garner leaves behind two children and a movement that will continue to vigorously fight for justice.