DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Eric Garner’s family met with federal prosecutors on Friday and demanded a civil rights investigation into his death.
Garner, 43, died July 18 after a police officer apparently used an illegal chokehold when trying to arrest him for selling untaxed cigarettes on Staten Island.
He was laid to rest Thursday.
“We intend to — with dignity and determination — win this case so this does not happen again,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, speaking for the family outside the U.S. Attorney’s Eastern District Office on Cadman Plaza.
The ultimate goal of the investigation is to set a federal precedent against the use of potentially lethal chokeholds in police departments across the country, Sharpton said.
Garner’s mother, Gwen Carr, and widow, Esaw Garner, declined to speak after their closed-door meeting with representatives from the Civil Rights for the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Staten Island District Attorney’s Office has already opened a criminal investigation. Additionally, the NYPD launched an internal investigation.
Police Commissioner William Bratton on Tuesday vowed to conduct a top to bottom review of use of force policies.
