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Protesters wear 'I can breathe' t-shirts at rally supporting New York police officers

Around 100 people gathered in central New York City and faced off against roughly 200 demonstrating against police brutality

Rose Troup Buchanan
Saturday 20 December 2014 13:07 GMT
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A pro-police supporter stands in his t-shirt at the demonstration in New York City
A pro-police supporter stands in his t-shirt at the demonstration in New York City (Reuters)

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New York residents came out onto the streets last night in support of the city’s police officers – and wearing t-shirt emblazoned with ‘I Can Breathe’.

The phrase is a misappropriation of the last gasps of Eric Garner, a 43-year-old black man who died after being placed in a chokehold by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo.

CCTV footage showed the father-of-six repeatedly telling officers: “I can’t breathe.” The phrase has now been taken up by demonstrators and protest against police brutality across the US.

Roughly 100 people gathered outside New York’s City Hall in the controversial clothing.

They were faced by almost 200 individuals who are calling for justice for Mr Garner after a grand jury elected not to prosecute Officer Panteleo.

Many wore the t-shirts that have become synonymous with the nationally protest-movement.

The news comes just days after it emerged a women near Chicago has filed a trademark for “I can’t Breathe”. Catherine Crump, 57, claims she does not intend to use the copyright for commercial purposes.

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