FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kristia Winter
212-788-6859 / KWinter@council.nyc.gov

BROOKLYN, NY – New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis issued the following statement after NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials Rosemarie Maldonado recommended the termination of Officer Daniel Pantaleo for his role in the death of Eric Garner in 2014.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER FARAH N. LOUIS

“After the illegal chokehold that killed Eric Garner, his family haunted by his final words, ‘I can’t breathe’, still await justice. Today’s recommendation from Rosemarie Maldonado, the NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Trials, to fire Pantaleo supports the Civilian Complaint Review Board’s initial conclusion declaring Pantaleo unfit to serve on the NYPD and validates the ongoing demands for NYPD Commissioner O’Neill to fire Pantaleo.

“The lack of accountability and indictments against police officers who have used excessive force that led to the deaths of Garner and other unarmed black men has set a dangerous precedent that black lives are expendable and do not matter. Today’s recommendation will not bring Garner back, but it is a catalyst that I hope will change the course of community policing in the City of New York. The de Blasio Administration and New York City Council must work with the NYPD to address prevalent issues that have disproportionately affected communities of color. We must reform police training to ensure that the lives of New Yorkers are not endangered by those who have taken the oath to protect and serve our city.”

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District which is comprised of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Committee on Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is also a proud member of the Women’s Caucus as well as the Black, Latino/a, and Asian Caucus.

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