We Have Lost Activist Erica Garner At The End Of A Tumultuous Year

We are saddened by the news that activist Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner, has passed away from a heart attack at the age of 27.  This is a sad ending to a year marked by turmoil and escalating racial tensions.

Erica had suffered a heart attack over Christmas weekend and was in a medically induced coma until her passing on Friday morning. She became an outspoken advocate for police accountability after her father lost his life in the hands of the NYPD. His last spoken words, “I can’t breath”, have been part of protest against police killings of black men and women.

When you report this you remember she was human: mother, daughter, sister, aunt. Her heart was bigger than the world. It really really was. She cared when most people wouldn't have. She was good. She only pursued right, no matter what. No one gave her justice.

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017

REUTERS/Mike Segar

In her piece titled “All We Want is Justice: Fighting For Eric Garner”, Erica writes

“I studied how people around the world threw off their oppressors, and I have yet to find a people that achieved total independence by marching and singing. I only see blood. If we’re going to move forward, we need transparency. Police and elected officials cannot seriously hope to repair relationships with the community without it.”

Erica’s legacy as an advocate for justice and equality will live on.

For now if you want to support Erica Garner … Go find a way to support your local foster care system. The last action she told me she wanted to do was to support foster kids as she was one herself. The person with her when she died was her foster mother…

— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017