Just days after suffering a second heart attack, 27-year-old Erica Garner, social activist and daughter of Eric Garner, has passed away. Her family is speaking out with strong feelings about who they will speak to and who is to blame.
Three years after her father died after being placed in a chokehold by NYPD Officer Daniel Pantaleo, 27-year-old Erica Garner has died.
Two days ago, Erica suffered her second heart attack in a matter of months. Her first was after the birth of her son, her second child, three months ago. It was then that doctors discovered she had an enlarged heart.
Her father's death sparked national outrage, prompting Erica to take action in his memory. Her health issues were seemingly compounded by the stress of the struggle to get justice for her father.
The family confirmed the news of Erica's passing saying:
Erica the world loves you. I love you. I am glad you came into our lives. May you find the peace in the next life that you deserved while you were here. I will always love you my sister. love you
— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017
She passed away this morning. The reports are real. We didn't deserve her.
— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017
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
de Blasio ... explain how she died with no justice.
— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017
In Erica's last interview, she touched on the struggle for justice causing stress. She told Katie Halper of New York Mag:
In the black community, a lot of people don’t seek the help they need as far as mental-health services. I tried to sit down with a therapist and the cost is $300/hour just to sit down and talk with someone. So that’s another obstacle we have to face when stuff like this happens. Especially for the people who are dealing with this type of trauma. We shouldn’t have to pay for counseling sessions. Police officers are covered for that.
Erica chose Katie for reasons of her own. Every now and then Black women can make choices. They don't need to explain them. You don't need to agree with them. You MUST respect them. https://t.co/jUNZqffygb
— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 31, 2017
The family is adamant about how they want her to be remembered, and also adamant about who they will grant a comment to. Erica and the Garner family have been through hell and back fighting against systematic white supremacy while trying to gain justice for the slain Eric Garner. It's not shocking that they would feel more comfortable with a black journalist as they grieve.
Of course, a white news anchor, Bill Ritter of ABC News NYC, had to chime in with his two cents about why their request is "wrong":
Those who knew erica call this post a disrespect to her and her legacy. https://t.co/JwQj6RaCHE
— Bill Ritter (@billritter7) December 30, 2017
Which one of those people were with her last night, this morning, the day before, which one of those people was with her on Christmas or did she call when she felt suicidal. Choke on an entire bag of dicks you disrespectful snowflake! https://t.co/h5SOH2I1Bi
— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017
Leaders, journalists and activists are all showing their support.
I spent most of the day in the bed today. The women out here on the front lines are literally my sisters...my friends. We have to do better with checking on each other, we have to make sure we are taking care of ourselves.
— Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) December 31, 2017
One more #EricaGarner thought for today: I had the opportunity to work closely with Erica on the campaign. She was raw, but real and passionate. My heart breaks for her family. I’m so saddened. This work can literally kill us.
— Symone D. Sanders (@SymoneDSanders) December 31, 2017
RIP Erica Garner
1990-2017
Thank you being a great force for justice! pic.twitter.com/KM9pTadndD— Ben Jealous (@BenJealous) December 31, 2017
Non-black journalists complaining about how it is unfair that the Garners want to share their story with black journalists should just ask the black person in their newsroom to ask for comment - unless their newsroom doesn’t have a black journalist ...
— Eugene Scott (@Eugene_Scott) December 30, 2017
It is a PRIVILEGE that people choose to share their stories with us. We’re not entitled to their stories. Considering how often the media misrepresents marginalized communities in our coverage, we should be grateful they even pick up the phone when we call much less talk to us.
— Eugene Scott (@Eugene_Scott) December 30, 2017
I am deeply saddened to learn of @es_snipes’ passing. What a tremendous woman who never stopped fighting for justice. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/PFLmC6rJ47
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel) December 31, 2017
You will be missed by many!
Rest in Power @es_snipes#EricaGarnerpic.twitter.com/MZjnQRa06D— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) December 30, 2017
RIP to the soldier Erica Garner. She is loved and will be missed. @kendricklamar@joeyBADASShttps://t.co/RvvBvp4zg1
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) December 30, 2017
Just heartbroken to hear about the passing of @es_snipes. Met her the summer of 2016. She had such a vibrant spirit and what happened to her father is something so unimaginable. I pray for peace and comfort for her family and loved ones.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 30, 2017
You can stop whatever you're doing and look up how to do this. Easily. Look up "emergency foster care" too. https://t.co/h60LKue0r1
— Black Thought (@blackthought) December 30, 2017
Yes, I believe she was taken, too. She got no justice from this criminal “justice” system for her father, but she continued to fight for justice for all of us. That’s what sytemic racism and police brutality does to communities of color. #EricGarner#EricaGarner#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/XPovLpYAwi
— Kendrick Sampson (@kendrick38) December 30, 2017
RIP to the soldier @es_snipeshttps://t.co/mkPB0dfbaI
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) December 30, 2017
Erica Garner was an exceptional young woman. She was a loving daughter, sister, mother, friend. Jane and I send our deepest condolences to the entire Garner family and to all those she has impacted.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 30, 2017
I had the honor of getting to know Erica and I was inspired by the commitment she made working towards a more just world for her children and future generations. She was a fighter for justice and will not be forgotten.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) December 30, 2017
The family has asked for people to seek out ways to help their local foster care system as a way to pay tribute to Erica as she was once in a foster home. R.I.P. Erica.
Photo: Getty
