Staten Island Community reflects on changes 10 years since Eric Garner’s death

Staten Island’s Tompkinsville neighborhood is marking a decade since the tragic death of Eric Garner, with residents reflecting on how their community has evolved.

On July 17, 2014, Garner, well-known in the area, stopped by Daniel Ewing’s barbershop for a routine haircut. Ewing recalls the visit vividly: “He came, wanted to get it cut. He’d just get his normal cut, a shave. I laid him back. He immediately [fell] asleep because he has sleep apnea, so we’d get a kick out of that. After I’m done with him, he left. About 10 minutes later, I found out what happened.”

What happened next was captured on cellphone video and soon broadcast around the world. Garner was confronted by police officers attempting to arrest him for allegedly selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. Former NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo used a banned chokehold to subdue him, leading to Garner’s death. His final words, “I can’t breathe,” became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement and sparked immediate changes in Tompkinsville.

Kelly Vilar, CEO of the Staten Island Urban Center, a nonprofit dedicated to environmental, criminal, and social justice, noted the shift in police-community relations following Garner’s death. “Immediately after Eric’s death, the nature of the way [the] police engaged with us. And when I say us, I mean our community, was almost hands off. They were afraid to talk to us, we were afraid to talk to them,” she said. The Urban Center, located near the site of Garner’s death, has been actively working to foster peace, justice, and healing in the community.

Sean White, owner of Against Da Grain barbershop, observed changes in policing since the incident. “It’s not as aggressive, I guess now, the policing,” he said. “Because the area’s rough, it’s a rough area. You know. So, somebody from the outside is gonna look at it different. Maybe be too aggressive, but we’re people, we’re regular people.” This sentiment reflects a broader desire for understanding and community cohesion.

Despite these changes, the memory of Eric Garner remains a constant presence in Tompkinsville. “Working in this area there’s always the presence of Eric Garner,” White remarked. “It’s always referred to as Eric Garner’s area. It just [doesn’t] seem like that much time passed by.” Garner’s legacy continues to influence the community, serving as a reminder of the ongoing need for dialogue and reform.

The Staten Island Urban Center frequently holds events in a park across the street from where Garner was killed, aiming to involve the entire neighborhood in its mission for social justice. Through these efforts, the community seeks to honor Garner’s memory and ensure that the changes sparked by his death lead to lasting positive impact.