Reverend Al Sharpton and the family of Eric Garner were on hand at NAN’s Harlem headquarters for the rally. Garner died in police custody earlier this month while being arrested for allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes on a Staten Island street.
Sharpton was also joined by a 32-year-old Brooklyn man who was apparently put in a choke hold by an officer during an arrest earlier this week.
Jahmil El-Cuffee was arrested for allegedly smoking pot outside of his home on Wednesday.
El-Cuffee appeared to be resisting as he was wrestled to the ground. Officer Joel Edouard pulled his gun during the arrest, and El-Cuffee could be heard asking for help as bystanders grew louder. One woman could be seen on video trying to intervene.
As additional officers arrived, Officer Edouard was seen walking away, but returned to the confrontation, and appeared to put his foot on El-Cuffee’s head.
“I just want it all to stop,” El-Cuffee said at Saturday’s rally.
“Why are they so angry in a community where they’re supposed to protect,” El-Cuffee’s sister Rashisa Rahim told CBS 2’s Janelle Burrell.
