Reactions are pouring in across the city after a Staten Island grand jury today announced they would not indict a city police officer in the death of Eric Garner.
Officer Daniel Pantaleo was caught on video putting Garner in a fatal chokehold during an arrest in July.
The medical examiner later concluded the chokehold was the cause of death.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says he met with clergy members, elected officials and community leaders on Staten Island this afternoon and acknowledged that many people are "feeling pain" as a result of the grand jury's decision.
The mayor also said the federal government is "clearly engaged and poised to act."
The Rev. Al Sharpton is expected to join Garner's mother and widow later tonight at the National Action Network's headquarters in Harlem to discuss the decision.
In a statement, Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Patrick J. Lynch said, in part, "It is clear that the officer’s intention was to do nothing more than take Mr. Garner into custody as instructed and that he used the take down technique that he learned in the academy when Mr. Garner refused. No police officer starts a shift intending to take another human being's life and we are all saddened by this tragedy."
Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo also released a statement, saying, "I became a police officer to help people and to protect those who can’t protect themselves. It is never my intention to harm anyone and I feel very bad about the death of Mr. Garner. My family and I include him and his family in our prayers and I hope that they will accept my personal condolences for their loss."
In a statement, Governor Andrew Cuomo said while there will be people who disagree with the grand jury decision, it is important that all New Yorkers respect the legal process and rule of law.
He went on to say, "I stand with the Garner family and urge those wishing to voice their opposition to today’s ruling to do so peacefully,"
A statement from Mayor de Blasio earlier in the day also urged New Yorkers not to turn violence.
"Today’s outcome is one that many in our city did not want. Yet New York City owns a proud and powerful tradition of expressing ourselves through non-violent protest. We trust that those unhappy with today’s grand jury decision will make their views known in the same peaceful, constructive way. We all agree that demonstrations and free speech are valuable contributions to debate, and that violence and disorder are not only wrong – but hurt the critically important goals we are trying to achieve together," the statement reads, in part.
De Blasio's statement later addresses the issue of police-community relations.
"Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – one of our nation’s most profound thinkers on these issues – taught us something very simple: 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.' The problem of police-community relations and civil rights is not just an issue for people of color – or young people – or people who get stopped by police. This is a fundamental issue for every American who cares about justice," the statement reads, in part.
Many members of the New York City congressional delegation expressed their displeasure with the grand jury ruling in a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
"America, I hope you're looking. I hope you're looking and your eyes are open. Your eyes are not lying. That tape was real," said Rep. Gregory Meeks of Queens.
"The video is living, breathing probable cause that a crime occurred," said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, whose district covers parts of Brooklyn and Queens.
In a statement, Borough President James Oddo said, in part, "In earlier demonstrations, Staten Islanders have shown that they respect their neighbors and their community, and understand that peaceful protests make their point so much more powerfully than violent ones, which ultimately distract from their message and disrespect the memory of Eric Garner. We are one island, one borough and ultimately, one family. Let’s act accordingly."
In a statement, Public Advocate Letitia James said in part, "Like millions of New Yorkers, I am saddened by the grand jury’s decision not to indict in the Eric Garner case. Video footage of the incident clearly shows the banned chokehold that resulted in Mr. Garner’s death and the fact that there will be no public trial is shocking and unconscionable."
Additionally, James called on the governor and attorney general to create a special prosecutor in all cases involving police misconduct. She also demanded the proceedings of the grand jury be made public.
The grand jury's decision came just over a week after a grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri, declined to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the death of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown. The Ferguson decision sparked outrage in Ferguson as protesters took to the streets, smashing windows and setting cars on fire.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Police Commissioner William Bratton said the NYPD had been preparing for demonstrations no matter what the grand jury ended up deciding.
"I think that there will be an ability that people will get to have their voice heard without disturbance. We, on the other hand, on the police side, will naturally gear up to deal with any potential contingency that might occur," Bratton said.
In preparation of an announcement, sanitation workers removed trash and recycling canisters earlier in the day from outside the district attorney's office.
Sources say the grand jury has been meeting twice a week up until this point.
A makeshift memorial has been set up outside the Beauty Supply store where Garner died back in July.
Residents say they are hopeful that whatever protests occur, they will remain peaceful.