Attorney General Eric Holder announced Wednesday that the federal government would launch an investigation into the death of Eric Garner, following a New York grand jury announcement that a police officer would not face any charges for putting Garner in a choke hold that led to his death.
“Now that the local investigation has concluded, I’m here to announce that the Justice Department will proceed with a federal civil rights investigation,” Mr. Holder said.
The investigation will likely mirror that already underway in Ferguson. Indeed, Mr. Holder said the investigation would be “independent, thorough and fair,” the same words he has used to describe DOJ’s investigation in the Missouri town.
Mr. Holder said the past few weeks have “tested the sense of trust that must exist between law enforcement and the communities they are called to serve.”
“[Garner’s] death of course was a tragedy,” the attorney general said. “All lives must be valued.”
Mr. Holder lauded police, saying that “the vast majority of our law enforcement officers perform their duties honorably.”
SEE ALSO: Eric Garner chokehold death: N.Y. officer won’t face charges
He also called for calm, as fears mounted that violent protests like those in Ferguson might be repeated in New York.
Mr. Holder spoke at the Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., as protestors attempted to stop traffic along several downtown D.C. streets.
• Phillip Swarts can be reached at pswarts@washingtontimes.com.
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