“I want to take this moment to reflect on the tragic death of Eric Garner five years ago today. His death called for a national movement for justice and fair improvements to protocol when law enforcement answers a call and reports to a scene.

Law enforcement agents have an incredibly difficult job- that every man and women in uniform- puts their lives at risk to protect us and our communities on a daily basis.

One outcome from the tragedy that occurred five years ago was mistrust between communities and government. The extreme length of this judicial case has only deepened these wounds.

It is incumbent upon all of us, as human beings, regardless of race, creed and cultures, that we recognize this incident as a national problem and lawmakers, city officials, advocates, law enforcement and resident’s alike must continue to work together on policy, training and community relations, to ensure that a tragedy like Mr. Garner’s, never happens again.”