November 25, 2016

JUSTICE NOW! COALITION BEGINS ECONOMIC SHUTDOWN 2.0 WEEKEND WITH DEMONSTRATIONS INSIDE MAJOR RETAILERS IN NEW YORK CITY

Congressman Charles B. Rangel Kicks Off Justice Now! By Joining Clergy Members and Activists to Call for Firing of Officer Responsible for the Death of Eric Garner

The Justice Now! Coalition held its first action of the weekend, the “Economic Shutdown 2.0” at 8:00 am on the day known as Black Friday, November 25, 2016. Congressman Charles Rangel joined Justice Now! Coalition members Justice League NYC, Reverend Calvin A. Butts of the historic Greater Abyssinian Church, Reverend Adolphus Lacey of Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn, Rev. Dr. Peter Hetzel of the New York Theological Seminary, and other faith leaders and community activists before the demonstration which interrupted holiday shopping on what is well-known as the busiest day of the year for retailers.  
 

The Justice Now! Coalition is a multi-faith effort calling on Mayor Bill de Blasio to fire Officer Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD officer responsible for the death of Staten Island grandfather Eric Garner. Two years after violating NYPD protocol by applying a chokehold which resulted in the tragic and unnecessary loss of Mr. Garner’s life, Officer Pantaleo still holds his job and collects a $120,000-per-year, taxpayer-funded salary. Mayor de Blasio has the power to fire Officer Pantaleo, yet has failed to do so amid pressure from the Patrolmen’s Benefit Association, the union representing NYPD officers.
 

“Our communities cannot feel comfortable in New York City while Officer Daniel Pantaleo still has a job,” said Carmen Perez, co-founder of Justice League NYC, one of the activist groups involved in the coalition. “It is important that the Mayor take action to restore trust by firing the officer for the unjust death of Eric Garner.”
 

This weekend, the Justice Now! Coalition has additional actions planned, including a noon Vigil and Rally for Eric Garner and All Victims of Police Brutality, occurring Saturday, November 26 at the African American Burial Ground in lower Manhattan. On Sunday, November 27, the coalition is planning a “Call to Service” action in partnership with over a dozen houses of worship in New York City.