“She walked with a fierce dignity in this world and would not allow the powerful to get by with only words when the problems we face demand action.”
By Common Dreams. Published 12-30-2017
The official Twitter account of Erica Garner—the 27-year-old civil rights activist and daughter of Eric Garner—confirmed that she passed away Saturday after being hospitalized following a heart attack.
The account is reportedly being operated by one of Erica’s co-workers, who has posted numerous updates about her condition as well as shared messages of support for her family and hope that she would recover. The confirmation of Erica’s death was followed by another message:
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
“She was a warrior, she was a fighter, and we didn’t pull the plug on her,” Esaw Snipes, Erica’s mother, told the New York Daily News. “She left on her own terms.”
Erica, a mother of two, sought to raise awareness about police brutality following the death of her father, Eric Garner, who was put into a fatal chokehold by a New York City police officer on Staten Island in 2014. The incident was captured in a video that was widely circulated and contributed to the national discussion about police violence toward people of color. Her father’s last words, “I can’t breathe,” have become a rallying cry for the racial justice movement.
News of Erica’s passing provoked a flood of condolences as well as expressions of gratitude for her activism:
Our dear sister Erica Garner has just passed away.
When you were her friend, you her friend through all adversity. She was a fierce protector of her friends and family. A truth teller. As genuine and authentic of a soul you’ll ever encounter.
We’re less because of this loss.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) December 30, 2017
RIP Erica Garner. We can’t imagine a child making a parent more proud. She walked with a fierce dignity in this world and would not allow the powerful to get by with only words when the problems we face demand action. Our forever respect and love. ✊🏾 https://t.co/Ei8lqdKU7X
— Fight For 15 (@fightfor15) December 30, 2017
May Erica Garner rest in peace–and may we neither rest nor have peace until we end police brutality . Prayers for her family. @NAACP https://t.co/zvEoUxZie1
— Cornell Wm. Brooks (@CornellWBrooks) December 30, 2017
This is devastating. Erica Garner @es_snipes put her all into turning the tragedy & injustice of her father’s murder into a movement for justice. She told me in this interview this was how she honored her dad’s memory. Let’s honor hers by carrying it on https://t.co/1Z0SrPnkBx https://t.co/lpdJlgddVn
— Katie🌹Halper (@kthalps) December 30, 2017
I was introduced to Erica Garner’s work through the Bernie campaign. I watched this video maybe 30 times the day before we published it. Thank you for telling your truth every chance you got, @es_snipes. Your voice will be missed and your life remembered.https://t.co/tB0qgWqCiW
— Hector Sigala (@hgsigala) December 30, 2017
Delivering my last keynote message of 2017 at the #NANSaturdayActionRally dedicated to #EricaGarner. Tune in w/ @ImpactTVNetwork @1190amWLIB pic.twitter.com/FDufsH6oJH
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) December 30, 2017
RIP Erica Garner, my friend. I will never forget those long conversations we would had in my office about your dreams to help young people. You will missed by all of us.
Your memory will always live in our hearts and our movement for justice. pic.twitter.com/PVBnRjYOUR
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) December 30, 2017
Dear Erica, thank you taking a stand when so may others sat. Thank you for leading the charge when so many others faded into the background.
Your voice inspired many at age 27. We will NEVER let them forget you!#EricaGarner #SayHerName— NAACP (@NAACP) December 30, 2017
@es_snipes spirit lives on! May her essence, truth, majesty & fierceness continue to be a force for good and justice! pic.twitter.com/t8WXpXYLTK
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) December 30, 2017
Prayers for the Garner family. May we all learn from sister Erica’s life that in the face of injustice, bowing down is not an option.
— Rev. Dr. Barber (@RevDrBarber) 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
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