New York, New York – The grand jury investigating the death of Eric Garner at the hands of Officer David Pantaleo of the city’s police department has once again fanned the flames of racial discontent. Many African-Americans were deeply displeased after the grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri, chose not to indict the officer in the shooting death of Michael Brown. Critics of the Ferguson incident claim that Daniel Donovan, the city’s district attorney, went to the unusual steps of dragging on the grand jury proceeding over a period of months which included two hours of testimony by Officer Darren Wilson.
However, the discontent is thinly veiled for mob justice. What Ferugson protesters were demanding was a speedy indictment, quick trial, and guilty verdict to be pronounced upon Wilson. Despite the fact that all witnesses claiming Michael Brown held his hands up saying “don’t shoot”, or which had him running down the street with his hands in the air as he was gunned down were discredited.
Wilson did not have a single gunshot to his back as verified by the city’s autopsy report and the independent autopsy conducted by Brown’s family. In fact, had the city conducted a quick grand jury that rendered the same outcome, the protesters would be howling the process was rigged. Instead, the DA understood the importance of the situation and devoted enormous time to guarantee justice.
As for the NYC incident with Eric Garner, the officer who took his life did so using a chokehold which is banned by the police force. The fact that the grand jury found no wrong doing with the officer is controversial. The raw feelings people still have over Ferguson has inflamed matters intensely.