Former New York police officer Daniel Pantaleo’s firing is the proverbial line in the sand for his allies and Eric Garner supporters. Now, a GoFundMe account to help with the cost of legal services has been created for his family.
As Blavity previously reported, Pantaleo was fired on Monday, more than five years after he used a fatal and illegal chokehold on Eric Garner.
The GoFundMe account for Pantaleo’s family has netted over $100K from about 1,900 donors. The account was created on August 2 and is still collecting money as of press time.
The organizer, known as Blue Line, clearly disapproves of the decision to fire Pantaleo.
“It’s a shame Mayor Dibozo and his puppets made the decision they did today,” the organizer wrote, referring to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. “I am very happy to see the rally and support behind Officer Pantaleo. For those of you still on patrol, times have changed drastically so please watch each other’s back and stay safe.”
Blue Line’s opinion isn’t an anomaly.
NBC News reported the Police Benevolent Association, an officers’ union, is urging law enforcement to be cautious when patrolling the streets due to “The Ferguson Effect.”
"We are urging all New York City police officers to proceed with the utmost caution in this new reality, in which they may be deemed 'reckless' just for doing their job," said association President Patrick Lynch.
"We will uphold our oath, but we cannot and will not do so by needlessly jeopardizing our careers or personal safety," he added.
Meanwhile, Garner’s family will continue their fight for justice, according to USA Today.
Emerald Snipes Garner, Eric’s daughter, is glad Police Commissioner James O’Neill did “the right thing,” but she believes the decision should have been made five years ago.
“I should not be here standing with my brother, fatherless,” she said.
Eric Jr., his son, wants the world to know the movement isn’t over.
"It has been a long five years, and we're still gonna fight," he told NY1.
The family now wants lawmakers to implement a state law banning chokeholds during arrests, according to PIX11.
