Eric Garner was a 43-year-old African American man who died on July 17, 2014, after a confrontation with police in Staten Island, New York. He was accused of selling loose cigarettes, which led to his arrest. During the encounter, an officer placed Garner in a chokehold, a maneuver that is prohibited by the New York Police Department. Garner's death was captured on video, showing him repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe." This phrase became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting issues of police brutality and racial injustice in the United States. His case sparked widespread protests and discussions about law enforcement practices.