(San Francisco, CA, December 3, 2014)—Today, a Grand Jury in Staten Island decided not to bring charges against Daniel Pantaleo, the NYPD officer that killed Eric Garner.

“We are appalled and sickened that, yet again, justice is denied to the family of an African-American man killed by a white police officer,” said Kate Kendell, Executive Director at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “The systemic abuses of people of color by those sworn to protect our communities is epidemic and betrays a gross inhumanity. We fear Garner’s death won’t be the last. It is time to hold police officers accountable for such heinous misconduct.”

The decision comes four months after New York City Police officer Daniel Pantaleo wrapped his arm around Garner’s neck, put him in a chokehold, and strangled him. Garner died of a heart attack and his death was ruled a homicide by a medical examiner.

“In Ferguson, New York, and too many other places in this country, these repeated denials of justice imperil everything we stand for as a nation. We mourn Eric Garner’s senseless death and demand that our elected officials, together with the Department of Justice, commit to stop the increased militarization of police departments and put an end to such repellant and violent behavior toward our communities,” concluded Kendell.