Don't know that he didn't break any law. Permits are required to sell tobacco products and not being a retailer doesn't exempt anyone. Laws in this country and especially in New York are so numerous as to criminalize nearly everyone. This is the point. It's why I take issue with conservatives who claim to stand for freedom siding with the oppressor.
We aren't the ones ignoring laws.
Oppressive governments don't believe the law applies to them. They also feel the only rights we have is what they give us
I didn't accuse anyone of ignoring the laws, I'm saying that the laws are so numerous that just breathing makes us criminal. When someone selling "loosies" requires a large police response, that's a sign that government is out of control. Hell, I'm surprised a SWAT team didn't roll in with an APC!
They showed up for a fight... and were disappointed the big guy did their job for them... so they brought him to the ground to teach him a lesson... then ignored his complaints about not being able to breathe.
That's an interesting take. The neocons on this thread, none of which are doctors, have repeatedly spewed their ignorance saying if Garner could say "I can't breath" then in fact he could breath. He wasn't able to completely fill his lungs during a struggle that accelerated his breathing and need for oxygen. He had enough breath to warn them, but not the amount of breath his body needed. This according to the ME, (who is actually a doctor) contributed to his death. These days, cops carry small oxygen breathers as part of their patrol car equipment cache. Did any of them consider he might need it? I think the lawsuit against this department will be successful because the medical evidence points to neglect on the part of the police to respond swiftly and effectively to a medical emergency they caused.