The news that a Staten Island grand jury has decided not to indict a NYPD officer in the chokehold death of Eric Garner has prompted a widespread public outcry. But it is also important to recall the circumstances that made Garner a target in the first place:
https://twitter.com/JayCaruso/status/540229135793389568
But remember in the Garner case, the whole thing started because of….loose cigarettes. Loose cigarettes. Yay, government.
— Tamara Winter (@_TamaraWinter) December 3, 2014
Worth remembering Eric Garner's offense was illegally selling cigarettes to get around NYC's high taxes on same.
— Brian Faughnan (@BrianFaughnan) December 3, 2014
Eric Garner lost his life because of NYC’s dumb cigarette tax law: http://t.co/fy4hISWsVb
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) December 3, 2014
From The Washington Times:
Was he robbing a store or attacking innocent citizens? No, police arrested Garner supposedly for selling untaxed cigarettes. The strong-arm arresting process claimed Garner’s life, all over the sale of 75-cent loose cigarettes or “loosies.”
…
Garner chose to participate in the booming underground cigarette market as a smuggler. Since 2009, he had been arrested eight times for selling loosies, which are popular among people who can’t afford a full pack because of the excessive taxes.
In January 2014, tough new penalties for selling untaxed cigarettes took effect in New York City. In July, emboldened by the new law, the city’s highest-ranking uniformed cop, Philip Banks, issued an order to crack down on loosie sales days before Garner died.
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https://twitter.com/StarChamberMaid/status/540233326360289280
Garner would never have been stopped were it not for the cigarette excise taxes. That’s why police were there. Insane.
— Dana Loesch (@DLoesch) December 3, 2014
The blood is on Cuomo, Bloomberg and DeBlasio hands. Bad laws made bad cops. Eric Garner http://t.co/jU4BxzRELK
— Sweater Yams (@Sweater_Yams_) December 3, 2014
Let's no forget that not only was Eric Garner's death tragic, it was unnecessary. He was attacked for evading a cigarette tax!
— Tony Hrvatska ?? (@tonybalogna) December 3, 2014
"Pantaleo put 47-year-old Garner into a chokehold during an arrest for selling untaxed cigarettes." Judge, jury, executioner. Shame.
— The Usual Turkey (@andrewwatson) December 3, 2014
Obscene: no indictment for NYPD officer who choked cigarette-selling man to death http://t.co/vztKbS9WAb
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) December 3, 2014
Sad, but not surprised, that the cop who killed Eric Garner will walk. Killed a guy over lost tax revenue on a freaking cigarette.
— Anti-Smatter (@mdrache) December 3, 2014
https://twitter.com/rjgstone/status/540240788916297728
Eric Garner lost his life because the cop thought he was selling loose cigarettes. He lost his life over loose cigs. Fucking atrocious.
— Maritza Lugo (@PolaRoid_Rage) December 3, 2014
Over a cigarette tax? A freaking cigarette tax. Eric Garner is dead. Sorry, Dems you've gone too damn far. #StopTheMadness
— Mickey White (@BiasedGirl) December 3, 2014
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Related:
Reports: Staten Island grand jury will not indict officer for chokehold death of Eric Garner
Oliver Willis: Grand jury decision in Eric Garner case shows it’s ‘open season’ on blacks
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