“I Can’t Breathe” protestors stage a die-in in the NYU Elmer Bobst Library starting around noon December 10th 2014. Hundreds of NYU students came into Bobst Wednesday afternoon to protest the government’s decision not to convict rookie Staten Island policeman Daniel Pantaleo for the murder of Eric Garener. Students lied on the ground for over an hour, grasping on to signs that said “Black Lives Matter”. Following the groups of people protesting through Manhattan, this group of students felt they needed to stand up for their cause to make waves in their own community. This has been the first NYU-based protest regarding the Eric Gardner trial, though it is not the first school-wide protest in favor of convicting Daniel Pantaleo, as Brigham Young University participated via flash mob on their campus this Wednesday as well, and the Georgetown University basketball team played a game in shirts that read Garner’s last words. Beyond universities, local New York City public schools have gathered students to protest within the school community, making signs and even handing out stickers to the younger grades. Though these public school rallies were quickly shut-down per the NYC Board of Education, claiming the protest isn’t beneficial to their education.
Recently, the NBL and NFL, as well as other professional sports leagues are joining the fight against police brutality. Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavilers, The Nets, Reggie Bush of the Detroit Lions, and Davin Joseph of the St. Louis Rams, among dozens of others, have been writing “I Can’t Breathe” – Eric Garner’s last words to NYC policeman – on their jerseys, cleats and wristbands to honor Garner in their games. Social media website such as Instagram and Twitter have also been a platform for individuals to spread their voice on the matter. Celebrities took to their social media outlets to speak out about their disbelief of Garners’ unnecessary death. Selena Gomez, John Legend and Rita Ora are three of the hundreds of infuriated celebrities using their resources to be active in the movement. John Legend and wife Chrissy Tiegen event send food trucks to feed the NYC protestors.
Amongst this present history, Yale librarian Fred Shapiro is proclaiming “I Can’t Breathe” as one the most notable quotes of 2014, revising his list that was already send out to the media. He feels this quote became a symbol that prompted the American people to respond together to an uncomfortable situation with such fervent belief of justice. This quote was “staring [him] in the face” giving Shapiro the responsibility to add these three very powerful words that influenced these rally cries. This movement, immortalized by media coverage and thousands of passionate supporters, is history in the making, and only time will tell what conclusion it will result in.